US20060058819A1 - Adjustable bone bracket - Google Patents
Adjustable bone bracket Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20060058819A1 US20060058819A1 US11/224,489 US22448905A US2006058819A1 US 20060058819 A1 US20060058819 A1 US 20060058819A1 US 22448905 A US22448905 A US 22448905A US 2006058819 A1 US2006058819 A1 US 2006058819A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- mounting
- leg
- legs
- support member
- guide
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
- A61F11/00—Methods or devices for treatment of the ears or hearing sense; Non-electric hearing aids; Methods or devices for enabling ear patients to achieve auditory perception through physiological senses other than hearing sense; Protective devices for the ears, carried on the body or in the hand
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B17/00—Surgical instruments, devices or methods, e.g. tourniquets
- A61B17/56—Surgical instruments or methods for treatment of bones or joints; Devices specially adapted therefor
- A61B17/58—Surgical instruments or methods for treatment of bones or joints; Devices specially adapted therefor for osteosynthesis, e.g. bone plates, screws, setting implements or the like
- A61B17/68—Internal fixation devices, including fasteners and spinal fixators, even if a part thereof projects from the skin
- A61B17/80—Cortical plates, i.e. bone plates; Instruments for holding or positioning cortical plates, or for compressing bones attached to cortical plates
- A61B17/8061—Cortical plates, i.e. bone plates; Instruments for holding or positioning cortical plates, or for compressing bones attached to cortical plates specially adapted for particular bones
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B17/00—Surgical instruments, devices or methods, e.g. tourniquets
- A61B17/56—Surgical instruments or methods for treatment of bones or joints; Devices specially adapted therefor
- A61B17/58—Surgical instruments or methods for treatment of bones or joints; Devices specially adapted therefor for osteosynthesis, e.g. bone plates, screws, setting implements or the like
- A61B17/68—Internal fixation devices, including fasteners and spinal fixators, even if a part thereof projects from the skin
- A61B17/80—Cortical plates, i.e. bone plates; Instruments for holding or positioning cortical plates, or for compressing bones attached to cortical plates
- A61B17/8085—Cortical plates, i.e. bone plates; Instruments for holding or positioning cortical plates, or for compressing bones attached to cortical plates with pliable or malleable elements or having a mesh-like structure, e.g. small strips
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B17/00—Surgical instruments, devices or methods, e.g. tourniquets
- A61B17/56—Surgical instruments or methods for treatment of bones or joints; Devices specially adapted therefor
- A61B17/58—Surgical instruments or methods for treatment of bones or joints; Devices specially adapted therefor for osteosynthesis, e.g. bone plates, screws, setting implements or the like
- A61B17/68—Internal fixation devices, including fasteners and spinal fixators, even if a part thereof projects from the skin
- A61B17/84—Fasteners therefor or fasteners being internal fixation devices
- A61B17/86—Pins or screws or threaded wires; nuts therefor
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
- A61F2/00—Filters implantable into blood vessels; Prostheses, i.e. artificial substitutes or replacements for parts of the body; Appliances for connecting them with the body; Devices providing patency to, or preventing collapsing of, tubular structures of the body, e.g. stents
- A61F2/02—Prostheses implantable into the body
- A61F2/28—Bones
- A61F2/2875—Skull or cranium
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
- A61F2/00—Filters implantable into blood vessels; Prostheses, i.e. artificial substitutes or replacements for parts of the body; Appliances for connecting them with the body; Devices providing patency to, or preventing collapsing of, tubular structures of the body, e.g. stents
- A61F2/02—Prostheses implantable into the body
- A61F2/30—Joints
- A61F2002/30001—Additional features of subject-matter classified in A61F2/28, A61F2/30 and subgroups thereof
- A61F2002/30316—The prosthesis having different structural features at different locations within the same prosthesis; Connections between prosthetic parts; Special structural features of bone or joint prostheses not otherwise provided for
- A61F2002/30535—Special structural features of bone or joint prostheses not otherwise provided for
- A61F2002/30576—Special structural features of bone or joint prostheses not otherwise provided for with extending fixation tabs
- A61F2002/30578—Special structural features of bone or joint prostheses not otherwise provided for with extending fixation tabs having apertures, e.g. for receiving fixation screws
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
- H04R25/00—Deaf-aid sets, i.e. electro-acoustic or electro-mechanical hearing aids; Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception
- H04R25/60—Mounting or interconnection of hearing aid parts, e.g. inside tips, housings or to ossicles
- H04R25/604—Mounting or interconnection of hearing aid parts, e.g. inside tips, housings or to ossicles of acoustic or vibrational transducers
- H04R25/606—Mounting or interconnection of hearing aid parts, e.g. inside tips, housings or to ossicles of acoustic or vibrational transducers acting directly on the eardrum, the ossicles or the skull, e.g. mastoid, tooth, maxillary or mandibular bone, or mechanically stimulating the cochlea, e.g. at the oval window
Definitions
- the present specification relates to an apparatus and method for supportably mounting an implantable hearing aid device to a patient's skull, and more particularly, to a mounting apparatus that provides ease of installation advantages.
- implantable hearing instruments In the class of hearing aid systems generally referred to as implantable hearing instruments, some or all of various hearing augmentation componentry is positioned subcutaneously on or within a patient's skull.
- such devices include those that utilize electromechanical or piezoelectric transducers for stimulation of the ossicular chain (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,702,342), and those which utilize excitor coils to electromagnetically stimulate magnets affixed above to a bone in the middle ear (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,897,486).
- Additional implantable approaches employ piezoelectric transducers to stimulate the ossicular chain.
- hearing aid devices of the above-noted nature entail supportably mounting at least a portion of a middle ear actuator to a patient's skull, wherein the supported portion is positioned in an opening surgically defined in the skull. Most typically, the supported portion is at least partially located within the mastoid process and requires stable and reliable placement.
- desirable locations for skull interconnection may be limited and can vary significantly from patient-to-patient, thereby adding to implant procedure complexity. In this regard, the required time associated with mounting during implant procedures is of growing concern given the high costs associated with surgical facility usage and the baseline objective of making implantable hearing aid devices an affordable option for the hearing impaired.
- one objective is to provide an apparatus and method for implantable hearing aid device mounting that provides positioning-flexibility and enhanced stability.
- a further objective is to provide an apparatus and method for implantable hearing aid device mounting that can be implemented with reduced installation time and attendant cost relative to many current mounting devices/methods.
- the apparatus comprises a support member adapted to support an implantable hearing aid device, or other implantable device, relative to an attachment surface and/or aperture of a patient bone.
- the support member may be sized for placement through an aperture in the bone.
- the apparatus further includes at least one mounting leg, and more generally a plurality of mounting legs interconnected to and extending laterally away from the support member in a corresponding plurality of differing directions.
- Each of the plurality of mounting legs includes at least one mounting aperture for selectively receiving a bone attachment device therethrough.
- the apparatus includes a conformance mechanism for conforming each mounting leg to the attachment surface.
- the apparatus includes a guide leg interconnected to and extending laterally away from the support member for use in conforming the mounting leg to an attachment surface (e.g., a bone of a patient).
- the guide leg has a yield strength along its length that is less than the minimum yield strength along the length of the mounting leg.
- the guide leg is more readily conformable to an attachment surface when the support member is placed in a desired position relative to the attachment surface. Utilization of the reduced yield strength guide leg allows for conforming the guide leg relative to a patient's skull (e.g., by hand) to define a desired contour or profile for the mounting leg. That is, upon conforming the guide leg to an attachment surface, the support member may be removed from the desired position relative to the attachment surface and the mounting leg may be deformed to match a profile defined by a corresponding guide leg.
- yield strength refers to plastic deformation (e.g., where the deformation remains after the stress is removed) of a body caused by an applied stress. This is in contrast to elastically deformation where a body returns to its original shape after an applied stress is removed.
- a yield strength also known as an elastic limit
- an elastic limit is the separation point between elastic and plastic deformation characteristics. That is, an applied stress beneath the elastic limit results in elastic deformation, whereas an applied stress above the elastic limit results in plastic deformation (or breakage for brittle materials).
- the elastic limit or total yield strength of any member is generally dependant on one or more physical and material factors. These factors include the moment of inertia about an axis which a stress is applied (i.e. which is dependant upon the physical dimensions of the member) as well as the modulus of elasticity of the material forming the member. Accordingly, the, material, size and/or cross-sectional shape of the guide leg may be selected to provide a desired minimum yield strength along its length that is less than the minimum yield strength along the length of the mounting leg. Of note, the guide leg may have a constant yield strength along its length, or, the yield strength may vary along its length.
- the support member may include a plurality of mounting leg.
- the support member may also include a corresponding plurality of the guide legs, wherein each of the guide legs has a yield strength along its length that is less than the minimum yield strength along the length of a corresponding one of the mounting legs.
- the mounting legs and guide legs may radiate from the support member in corresponding different directions.
- each guide leg may be disposed in a substantially adjacent position relative to a corresponding mounting leg. Irrespective of their exact location, it is desirable that the guide legs are positioned such that a profile defined by each such guide leg is reflective of the topology of the attachment surface onto which a corresponding mounting leg will be attached.
- the length of the guide legs will be equal to or greater than the length of the mounting legs such that an accurate profile of the attachment surface topology may be provided for the entire length of the mounting legs. However, this is not required.
- one or more physical characteristics of the guide leg may be selectively adjusted. For instance, the cross-sectional area and/or cross-sectional shape of the guide leg may be adjusted to provide a desired stiffness.
- the guide leg will have an cross-sectional size that is less than the cross-sectional size of a corresponding portion of a corresponding mounting leg (i.e., a mounting leg for which the guide leg provides a contour/profile).
- the guide leg may have one or more sections having a reduced cross-sectional area to facilitate bending of those sections.
- the guide leg may be integrally formed with the apparatus.
- the guide leg may be formed of the same material(s) as the mounting leg.
- the guide leg may also be made of a dissimilar material having greater ductility/malleability than the material forming the mounting leg.
- the mounting leg may in some instances be made of a titanium material, whereas the guide leg may be made of a “softer” material(s). As will be appreciated, this may require fusing dissimilar materials. What is important is that the guide leg will plastically deform in view of an applied stress that is less than an applied stress required to plastically deform the mounting leg.
- the guide leg(s) may be part of a removable guide assembly that may be attached to, for example, the support member and/or the mounting leg(s).
- a removable guide assembly may facilitate the use of dissimilar materials and may allow for use of materials that are not necessarily biocompatible for extended periods. In the latter regard, almost any material may be utilized. Further, such a removable guide assembly may be utilized with existing support structures so long as the guide assembly is connectable to that structure during positioning.
- the mounting leg may also include one or more physical characteristics that facilitate its conformance to a profile defined by a corresponding guide leg.
- the mounting leg may include one or more flexible portions disposed along its length having a yield strength or bending moment that is less than a yield strength or bending moment of remaining portions of the mounting leg. In this regard, deflection of the mounting leg in view of an applied stress may be isolated to one or more such flexible portions.
- each mounting leg includes a flexible portion disposed between the mounting aperture and the support member.
- This flexible portion has a bending moment that is less than the bending moment of at least one adjacent portion of the mounting leg.
- the flexible portion facilitates conformance of the mounting leg to the attachment surface.
- such flexible portions may include, without limitation, a hinge member, an area having a reduced cross-sectional area in relation to a cross-sectional area of an adjacent portion of the mounting leg, an area having a reduced moment of inertia about a given axis in relation to a moment of inertia about the same axis of adjacent portions of the mounting leg and/or an area having an increased ductility in relation to the ductility of adjacent portions of the mounting leg.
- such a hinge member may further include a stop for limiting movement of the hinge member after the mounting leg is conformed to the attachment surface.
- a stop may include an attachment device for attaching each flexible portion of the mounting leg relative to the attachment surface.
- the stop may be any mechanism that eliminates relative movement of mating members of the hinge once in a desired position.
- the hinge may be deformable after the mounting leg is disposed in a desired position.
- the hinge may be crimped or otherwise compressed to eliminate movement between hingedly connected portions of the mounting leg and/or support member.
- one or more interfacing surfaces of the hinge may be serrated such that crimping/compression interlocks serrations on mating surfaces.
- an oversized hinge pin may be utilized (e.g., tapered) such that once the mounting leg is disposed in the desired position, the oversized hinge pin may be forced through apertures within the hinge and thereby prevent further rotative movement of the hinge.
- Such an oversized hinge pin may also be serrated.
- the shape of the reduced cross-sectional area may be different than the cross-sectional shape of other portions of the mounting leg.
- the flexible portions may be formed of a material having an increased ductility (e.g., a softer material) in comparison to the materials forming the adjacent portions of the mounting leg.
- different material sections e.g., more ductile
- an adjuster may be incorporated with each mounting leg.
- Such an adjuster may allow for selectively adjustable movement of a portion of the mounting leg and/or the support member after the mounting leg has been attached to the attachment surface.
- such an adjuster may apply a force between the patient's skull and the mounting leg to lift a portion of the mounting leg between an attachment device (e.g., screw) and the support member.
- an attachment device e.g., screw
- a portion of the support member may be directed relative to a patient's skull (e.g., directed towards a auditory component).
- This may facilitate interconnecting hearing aid componentry to a patient's auditory system (e.g., an ossicle, oval window, tympanic membrane and/or cochlea).
- a patient's auditory system e.g., an ossicle, oval window, tympanic membrane and/or cochlea.
- adjusters include, without limitation, jack screws disposed through a portion of each leg and/or wedges that may be inserted beneath each leg.
- a support plate may be disposed beneath the jack screw to provide a solid support surface.
- a method for conforming a mounting apparatus to an attachment surface of a bone is also disclosed.
- the method is directed to use of a mounting apparatus that includes a support member and a plurality of mounting legs interconnected to and extending laterally from a support member in different directions.
- the apparatus includes a plurality of guide legs interconnected to and extending laterally away from the support member.
- the method includes the steps of positioning the support member of the mounting apparatus relative to a surface of a patient bone (e.g., into an opening defined in a patient's skull), and conforming at least one guide leg relative to the attachment surface.
- the mounting apparatus may be removed from the attachment surface and a mounting leg corresponding to the conformed guide leg may be deformed/bent to match the profile defined by the guide leg.
- the plurality (e.g., all) of the guide legs may be conformed while the support member is positioned relative to the attachment surface.
- all of the mounting legs may be deformed to match corresponding guide legs upon removal from the attachment surface. As will be appreciated, this may reduce the number of iterations required to fit the mounting apparatus to an attachment surface.
- the guide legs may, optionally, be removed from the mounting legs. This may entail cutting or breaking the guide legs from the support member and/or removing a removable guide from the support member. In any case, the support member may be repositioned relative to the attachment surface and the deformed mounting legs may be interconnected to the attachment surface.
- an adjuster may be utilized to adjust a position of one or more mounting legs to direct support member to a desired orientation.
- FIG. 1 illustrates a first embodiment of a mounting apparatus, together with an exemplary hearing aid device
- FIG. 2 a shows a perspective view of the first embodiment of the mounting apparatus
- FIG. 2 b shows a side view of the first embodiment of the mounting apparatus
- FIG. 3 illustrates a second embodiment of the mounting apparatus
- FIG. 4 shows an exploded view of the second embodiment of the mounting apparatus
- FIG. 5 illustrates a third embodiment of the mounting apparatus
- FIGS. 6 a - 6 c illustrate optional components that may be utilized with the third embodiment
- FIG. 7 a illustrates a fourth embodiment of the mounting apparatus
- FIG. 7 b shows the fourth embodiment upon interconnection to a patient's skull
- FIG. 8 illustrates a fifth embodiment of the mounting apparatus
- FIG. 9 illustrates the first embodiment upon interconnection to a patient's skull.
- the mounting apparatus is utilized for mounting an implantable hearing device relative to patient's skull, however, it will be appreciated that certain aspects of the apparatus are not limited to implantable hearing devices and/or skull attachment and may be utilized to attach other devices to other bones.
- the mounting apparatus includes a support member adapted for supporting an implantable device and a plurality of mounting legs extending laterally from the support member in different directions.
- the mounting apparatus utilizes one or more conformance mechanisms to facilitates the deformation of the mounting legs relative to an attachment surface to enhance conformance of the mounting apparatus to the surface as well as provide improved position flexibility while further improving overall ease of installation.
- FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the mounting apparatus 10 .
- the mounting apparatus includes four mounting legs 30 A- 30 D that radially extend in different directions from a first end 22 of a support member 20 .
- each of the mounting legs 30 A-D include a base that adjoins the support member 20 and at least one, and more preferably a plurality of apertures 32 A- 32 B.
- the apertures 32 A-B are each provided to selectively receive an attachment device 40 (e.g., a screw) therethrough for attachment to, in the present embodiment, a patient's skull.
- an attachment device 40 e.g., a screw
- each of the apertures 32 A-B may be beveled on a topside to facilitate secure interconnection with a complimentary shaped surface of attachment devices 40 , while also reducing the overall profile of the apparatus upon interconnection. Though shown with two apertures 32 A-B, it will be appreciated that additional apertures may be included.
- the support member 20 is defined by a cylindrical barrel 24 through which an implantable hearing aid device may be selectively and supportably positioned.
- an exemplary hearing aid device 60 e.g., an electromechanical transducer
- the barrel of the support member 20 may be provided with an end plate 26 on which at least a portion of the implantable hearing aid device 60 may be supportably received.
- a portion of an inside surface of the barrel 24 may be threaded to receive a locking ring 50 and thereby supportably capture a portion of the implantable hearing aid device 60 between the locking ring 50 and end plate 26 .
- an actuator end 62 of the device 60 may be interconnected to a middle ear component (e.g., an ossicle bone) to provide mechanical stimulation thereof.
- a middle ear component e.g., an ossicle bone
- the mounting legs 30 A-D each adjoin the top end of the support member 20 in a substantially common plane in order to provide a low profile fit against the patient's skull.
- the support member 20 is disposed at an acute angle relative to the common plane.
- Such angular offset may facilitate the positioning of a hearing aid device (e.g., a middle ear actuator) by the mounting apparatus 10 in a desired location within a patient's skull.
- a hearing aid device e.g., a middle ear actuator
- the mounting legs 30 A-D may be provided to be bendable up/down within a predetermined angular range relative to the support member 20 . The bendable mounting legs 30 A-D facilitate conformal interconnection of the mounting apparatus 10 to the skull, thereby yielding a low profile mounting apparatus that may provide for improved patient comfort.
- Bending the mounting legs 30 A-D to conform to the patient's skull may, in some instances, require that the mounting apparatus 10 be repeatedly inserted into an aperture defined within a patient's skull such that the position of each mounting leg 30 A-D may be identified relative to the topology of the skull. Accordingly, the mounting apparatus 10 may be inserted and removed such that each mounting leg 30 A-D may be adjusted to provide a more conformal fit. As will be appreciated, this may result in increased surgical time as well as poor conformance of the mounting legs 30 A-D to the topology of the patient's skull. Accordingly, the present mounting apparatus includes one or more conformance mechanisms that allows for more readily conforming the mounting legs 30 A-D to an attachment surface of the skull of a patient.
- a first embodiment of the conformance mechanism for conforming the mounting legs 30 A-D to an attachment surface includes a plurality of guide legs 70 A-D or “whiskers.” These guide legs 70 A-D correspond to the number of mounting legs 30 A-D and are each typically disposed substantially adjacent to a corresponding mounting leg 30 A-D. Generally, the guide legs 70 A-D have a reduced yield strength (e.g., stiffness) in comparison to their corresponding mounting legs 30 A-D. As used herein, the term “yield strength” refers to plastic deformation (e.g., where the deformation remains after the stress is removed) of the guide leg caused by an applied stress.
- This yield strength may be constant along the length of the guide leg or may vary, for example, with a varying cross-sectional size of the guide leg. In any case, it is preferable that a guide leg deforms more readily than its corresponding mounting leg 30 A-D. In this regard, the minimum yield strength along the length of a guide leg 70 will typically be less than a minimum yield strength along the length of a corresponding mounting leg 30 .
- the reduced yield strength will allow the guide legs 70 A-D to be readily conformed to the topology of the patient's skull while the mounting apparatus 10 is disposed in an aperture of the skull. Accordingly, once the mounting apparatus 10 is removed from the skull, each mounting legs 30 A-D may be deformed to match the contour defined by the corresponding guide leg 70 A-D. As will be appreciated, this may reduce the number of iterations required to conformally fit the mounting legs 30 A-D to the skull of the patient. Likewise, this may reduce surgical time and/or patient discomfort while providing an improved fit.
- the yield strength of the guide legs 70 A-D is reduced in comparison to the yield strength of the mounting legs 30 A-D.
- the guide legs 70 A-D have a substantially reduced cross section in relation to the cross section of the mounting legs 30 A-D. Accordingly, the guide legs 70 A-D have a significantly reduced bending moment.
- the guide legs 70 A-D may also be formed of a separate material that may have, for example, a greater malleability than the material of the mounting legs 30 A-D.
- the guide legs 70 A-D and mounting legs 30 A-D may also be formed of the same material such that the mounting apparatus 10 including the mounting legs 30 A-D and guide legs 70 A-D are an integrally formed unit.
- FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of a mounting apparatus 10 that utilizes a plurality of guide legs 70 A-D for use in conforming the mounting legs 30 A-D to the skull of a patient.
- the plurality of guide legs 70 A-D are formed on a removeable guide assembly 72 that may be selectively applied to the end of the mounting apparatus 10 , as shown in FIG. 4 .
- the removeable guide assembly 72 includes three clips 76 A, 76 B and 78 for use in securing the guide 72 and its guide legs 70 A-D relative to the end 22 of the mounting apparatus 10 .
- two opposing clips 76 A, 76 B are disposed beneath opposing mounting legs 30 A and 30 D while the body of the removeable guide assembly 72 is disposed against the end 22 of the mounting apparatus 20 .
- a central clip 78 is utilized to maintain the center portion of the removeable guide assembly 72 relative to the end 22 of the support member 20 .
- the support member 20 further includes a nub 74 positioned to receive the central clip 78 .
- each guide leg 70 A-D may include its own clip for holding that guide leg 70 A-D relative to a corresponding mounting leg 30 A-D. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that such a removeable guide assembly 72 may be utilized with existing mounting apparatuses.
- a removeable guide assembly 72 facilitates the utilization of soft malleable materials for the guide legs 70 A-D. That is, utilization of the removeable guide 72 allows for using a soft/malleable material (i.e., in comparison to the material utilized to form the mounting legs 30 A-D) without the problems that may be associated with adjoining dissimilar materials in an integrally formed mounting apparatus incorporating “soft” guide legs.
- the cross-sectional size of the guide legs of a removable guide assembly 72 may also be reduced in comparison with the cross-sectional size of the mounting legs 30 A-D.
- each mounting leg 30 A-D incorporates a hinge member 100 .
- the hinge member 100 is disposed between the base of each mounting leg 30 A-D and distal end of each leg 30 A-D. More particularly, the hinge member 100 is disposed between the base and at least one mounting aperture 32 in each leg. However, it will be appreciated that the hinge member 100 may be disposed more distally along each mounting leg 30 A-D.
- the hinge member 100 allows for each mounting leg 30 A-D to conform relative to the patient's skull.
- hinge members 100 may eliminate the need to remove the mounting apparatus 10 for conforming purposes during implantation.
- the flexibility of the hinge members 100 may have to be reduced and/or eliminated upon the mounting apparatus 10 being implanted.
- FIGS. 6 A-C illustrate three stop mechanisms limiting and/or preventing movement of the hinge member 100 once the mounting legs 30 A-D have been disposed in a desired position.
- the hinge member 100 includes a knuckle 102 interconnected to the end of the support member 20 , a clevis 104 attached to the guide leg 30 that includes opposing legs disposed on opposing sides of the knuckle 102 , and a pin 106 extending through apertures in the first leg of the clevis 104 , the knuckle 102 , and the second leg of the clevis 104 .
- the clevis 104 being disposed on the mounting leg 30 and the knuckle 102 being disposed on the support member 20 , it will be appreciated that the members may be reversed.
- the mating surfaces of the clevis 106 and knuckle 102 are matingly serrated. Furthermore, the inside surface of the head 108 of the pin 106 may also be serrated. Accordingly, by compressing the head 108 of the pin 106 and the outside edge of the second leg of the clevis 104 as shown in the arrows in FIG. 6A , the clevis 104 may be shaped such that serrations on the components mate and thereby prevent the hinge member 100 from moving.
- FIG. 6B shows a second mechanism for limiting the movement of the hinge member 100 .
- a tapered hinge pin 106 is utilized to interconnect the clevis 104 and the knuckle 102 .
- a compressive force is formed between the pin 106 the clevis 104 and knuckle 102 . Accordingly, movement of those components may be reduced and/or eliminated.
- FIG. 6C shows a third mechanism that may be utilized alone and/or in combination with the above-noted mechanisms.
- FIG. 6C utilizes a serrated aperture through the clevis 104 and/or knuckle 102 as well as a serrated pin 106 .
- serrations on the hinge pin 106 may meet with serrations on the inside surface of the aperture, thereby preventing further rotation of the mounting leg 30 .
- FIG. 7A shows a second embodiment of the mounting apparatus 10 , which incorporates the hinge member 100 .
- the mounting apparatus 10 further includes adjusters 130 A-D for use in adjusting the position of the support member 20 after attachment to a patient's skull.
- the adjuster 130 comprises a jack screw that is disposed through each mounting leg 30 A-D between the hinge member 100 and the aperture 32 of each mounting leg 30 A-D.
- the mounting apparatus 10 may further include a support plate 140 that may be positioned beneath the mounting legs 30 A-D around the periphery of the support member 20 .
- the support plate 140 may provide a solid surface against which the adjuster 130 may press to position the support member 20 .
- the mounting apparatus 10 is secured to a patient's skull 150 .
- the barrel 24 of the support member 20 is disposed through an aperture within the skull 150 .
- an attachment device 40 may be disposed through one or more of the apertures 32 A-B in each mounting leg 30 A-D to affix each mounting leg 30 A-D to the patient's skull 150 .
- the barrel 24 of the mounting apparatus 10 may become misaligned with a middle ear component (e.g., an ossicle) during the attachment procedure. Accordingly, attachment of the hearing instrument 60 to the middle ear component may become problematic.
- utilization of the adjusters 130 A-D allows for post attachment alignment of the mounting apparatus 10 with, for example, a middle ear component.
- the adjuster 130 may be adjusted (e.g., threaded in) such that a portion of the mounting leg 30 near the hinge member 100 is lifted off the surface of the patient's skull 150 .
- the adjuster 130 comprises a jack screw
- the tip of the jack screw may press against the support plate 140 (i.e., when utilized) and thereby lift a portion of the mounting leg 30 relative to the skull 150 .
- the position of the barrel 24 of the mounting apparatus 10 may be adjusted.
- the barrel 24 may be aligned with a middle ear component to facilitate interconnection of a hearing instrument 60 thereto.
- the adjuster 130 may be any component that is operable to move (e.g., lift) a portion of the mounting legs 30 A-D in order to adjust the position of the barrel 24 .
- wedges that may be inserted between the patient's skull 150 and/or the support plate 140 and each mounting leg 30 may also be utilized.
- FIG. 8 shows a further embodiment of a mechanism for use in forming the mounting legs 30 A-D relative to the patient's skull.
- each mounting leg 30 A-D incorporates a flexible portion 160 disposed between the mounting apertures 32 A-N and the support member 20 .
- the flexible portion 160 has a bending moment that is less than the bending moment of an adjacent portion of the mounting legs 30 A-D.
- the flexible portion 160 generally has a smaller cross-sectional area as compared to the cross-sectional area of adjacent portions of the mounting legs 30 A-C.
- this reduced cross-sectional size may further incorporate a different cross-sectional shape (e.g., round vs. rectangular).
- each mounting leg 30 A-D will, in view of an applied stress, deflect/bend prior to another portion of the mounting leg 30 A-D bending.
- utilization of the flexible portion 160 may also allow for in-place deflection of the mounting legs 30 A-D when the mounting apparatus 10 is disposed within a patient's skull.
- the flexible portion 160 may be formed of the same material as the remainder of each mounting leg 30 . However, the flexible portion 160 may also be made of a dissimilar material (e.g., softer/less stiff material). In this latter regard, the flexible portion 120 may not require a reduced cross section relative to the remainder of the leg. Finally, it will be noted that variations may be made to the present embodiment. For instance, a number of flexible portions 160 may be disposed along the length of each mounting leg 30 A-D to facilitate conformance along the entire length of the mounting leg.
- FIG. 9 An exemplary use of the present invention will now be described with reference to FIG. 9 .
- medical personnel access the mastoid process of a given patient via an incision made behind the patient's ear.
- Accessory devices 180 may be utilized for maintaining such assess during the implant procedure.
- an access opening may be formed at a selected location thru the mastoid process (e.g., via drilling).
- Such access opening should be large enough to facilitate placement of a selected mounting apparatus 10 therethrough.
- the particular mounting apparatus embodiment 10 utilized for a given patient may be selected from a plurality of different embodiments (e.g., the alternative embodiments shown above) as may be appropriate for a given patient.
- the selected mounting apparatus embodiment may then be positioned through the defined access opening.
- the mounting apparatus 10 of FIG. 1 utilizing guide legs 70 is described.
- the above procedures may be completed with the access orientation of the mounting apparatus 10 selected so as to provide a straight-line access through the barrel portion 24 of the mounting apparatus 10 to the middle ear of the patient including, for example, the osticular chain and/or oval window.
- guide legs 70 A-D may be bent into conformal skull engagement. Once the guide legs 70 A-D are conformal with the skull, the mounting apparatus 10 may be removed from the access opening such that the mounting legs 30 A-D may be deformed to match the contours/profiles defined by each guide leg 70 A-D.
- the guide legs 70 A-D may be removed from the mounting apparatus 10 if desired.
- the guide legs 70 A-D are integrally formed with the mounting apparatus 10
- this may entail cutting or otherwise breaking the guide legs 70 A-D from the support member 20 .
- this may simply entail removing the removeable guide 72 from the mounting apparatus 10 .
- the mounting apparatus 10 may be reinserted within the access opening. Then the apparatus may be secured to the patient's skull via the insertion and interconnection of one or more attachment devices (e.g., screws) through one or more selected apertures 32 A-N.
- the implantable hearing aid device 60 may be supportably positioned into the cylindrical barrel 24 of the support member 20 .
- the implantable hearing aid device may comprise an electromechanical transducer having a probe tip adapted for selective contact positioning relative to a middle ear bone or oval window of a patient. Following the desired positioning of the implantable hearing aid device 60 , connections to other components of the hearing aid system may be completed.
Abstract
Description
- This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/608,816 entitled: “Adjustable Bone Bracket” having a filing date of Sep. 10, 2004, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
- The present specification relates to an apparatus and method for supportably mounting an implantable hearing aid device to a patient's skull, and more particularly, to a mounting apparatus that provides ease of installation advantages.
- In the class of hearing aid systems generally referred to as implantable hearing instruments, some or all of various hearing augmentation componentry is positioned subcutaneously on or within a patient's skull. By way of primary example, such devices include those that utilize electromechanical or piezoelectric transducers for stimulation of the ossicular chain (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,702,342), and those which utilize excitor coils to electromagnetically stimulate magnets affixed above to a bone in the middle ear (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,897,486). Additional implantable approaches employ piezoelectric transducers to stimulate the ossicular chain.
- In most instances, hearing aid devices of the above-noted nature entail supportably mounting at least a portion of a middle ear actuator to a patient's skull, wherein the supported portion is positioned in an opening surgically defined in the skull. Most typically, the supported portion is at least partially located within the mastoid process and requires stable and reliable placement. However, desirable locations for skull interconnection may be limited and can vary significantly from patient-to-patient, thereby adding to implant procedure complexity. In this regard, the required time associated with mounting during implant procedures is of growing concern given the high costs associated with surgical facility usage and the baseline objective of making implantable hearing aid devices an affordable option for the hearing impaired.
- In view of the foregoing, one objective is to provide an apparatus and method for implantable hearing aid device mounting that provides positioning-flexibility and enhanced stability.
- A further objective is to provide an apparatus and method for implantable hearing aid device mounting that can be implemented with reduced installation time and attendant cost relative to many current mounting devices/methods.
- The above objectives and additional advantages may be realized by the apparatus and method disclosed herein. The apparatus comprises a support member adapted to support an implantable hearing aid device, or other implantable device, relative to an attachment surface and/or aperture of a patient bone. In one arrangement, the support member may be sized for placement through an aperture in the bone. The apparatus further includes at least one mounting leg, and more generally a plurality of mounting legs interconnected to and extending laterally away from the support member in a corresponding plurality of differing directions. Each of the plurality of mounting legs includes at least one mounting aperture for selectively receiving a bone attachment device therethrough. Furthermore, the apparatus includes a conformance mechanism for conforming each mounting leg to the attachment surface.
- Accordingly, to a first aspect, the apparatus includes a guide leg interconnected to and extending laterally away from the support member for use in conforming the mounting leg to an attachment surface (e.g., a bone of a patient). The guide leg has a yield strength along its length that is less than the minimum yield strength along the length of the mounting leg. In this regard, the guide leg is more readily conformable to an attachment surface when the support member is placed in a desired position relative to the attachment surface. Utilization of the reduced yield strength guide leg allows for conforming the guide leg relative to a patient's skull (e.g., by hand) to define a desired contour or profile for the mounting leg. That is, upon conforming the guide leg to an attachment surface, the support member may be removed from the desired position relative to the attachment surface and the mounting leg may be deformed to match a profile defined by a corresponding guide leg.
- As used herein, the term “yield strength” refers to plastic deformation (e.g., where the deformation remains after the stress is removed) of a body caused by an applied stress. This is in contrast to elastically deformation where a body returns to its original shape after an applied stress is removed. For any material, a yield strength (also known as an elastic limit) is the separation point between elastic and plastic deformation characteristics. That is, an applied stress beneath the elastic limit results in elastic deformation, whereas an applied stress above the elastic limit results in plastic deformation (or breakage for brittle materials).
- As will be appreciated, the elastic limit or total yield strength of any member is generally dependant on one or more physical and material factors. These factors include the moment of inertia about an axis which a stress is applied (i.e. which is dependant upon the physical dimensions of the member) as well as the modulus of elasticity of the material forming the member. Accordingly, the, material, size and/or cross-sectional shape of the guide leg may be selected to provide a desired minimum yield strength along its length that is less than the minimum yield strength along the length of the mounting leg. Of note, the guide leg may have a constant yield strength along its length, or, the yield strength may vary along its length.
- In one arrangement, the support member may include a plurality of mounting leg. To facilitate conformance of the plurality of mounting legs the support member may also include a corresponding plurality of the guide legs, wherein each of the guide legs has a yield strength along its length that is less than the minimum yield strength along the length of a corresponding one of the mounting legs. Likewise, the mounting legs and guide legs may radiate from the support member in corresponding different directions. In one arrangement, each guide leg may be disposed in a substantially adjacent position relative to a corresponding mounting leg. Irrespective of their exact location, it is desirable that the guide legs are positioned such that a profile defined by each such guide leg is reflective of the topology of the attachment surface onto which a corresponding mounting leg will be attached. Typically, the length of the guide legs will be equal to or greater than the length of the mounting legs such that an accurate profile of the attachment surface topology may be provided for the entire length of the mounting legs. However, this is not required.
- In order to have minimum yield strength along its length that is less than the minimum yield strength of the mounting leg, one or more physical characteristics of the guide leg may be selectively adjusted. For instance, the cross-sectional area and/or cross-sectional shape of the guide leg may be adjusted to provide a desired stiffness. Typically, the guide leg will have an cross-sectional size that is less than the cross-sectional size of a corresponding portion of a corresponding mounting leg (i.e., a mounting leg for which the guide leg provides a contour/profile). Alternatively, the guide leg may have one or more sections having a reduced cross-sectional area to facilitate bending of those sections.
- The guide leg may be integrally formed with the apparatus. In this regard, the guide leg may be formed of the same material(s) as the mounting leg. However, the guide leg may also be made of a dissimilar material having greater ductility/malleability than the material forming the mounting leg. For instance, the mounting leg may in some instances be made of a titanium material, whereas the guide leg may be made of a “softer” material(s). As will be appreciated, this may require fusing dissimilar materials. What is important is that the guide leg will plastically deform in view of an applied stress that is less than an applied stress required to plastically deform the mounting leg.
- In another arrangement, the guide leg(s) may be part of a removable guide assembly that may be attached to, for example, the support member and/or the mounting leg(s). As will be appreciated, utilization of a removable guide assembly may facilitate the use of dissimilar materials and may allow for use of materials that are not necessarily biocompatible for extended periods. In the latter regard, almost any material may be utilized. Further, such a removable guide assembly may be utilized with existing support structures so long as the guide assembly is connectable to that structure during positioning.
- The mounting leg may also include one or more physical characteristics that facilitate its conformance to a profile defined by a corresponding guide leg. For instance, the mounting leg may include one or more flexible portions disposed along its length having a yield strength or bending moment that is less than a yield strength or bending moment of remaining portions of the mounting leg. In this regard, deflection of the mounting leg in view of an applied stress may be isolated to one or more such flexible portions.
- According to a second aspect, the mounting leg(s) of the apparatus are formed to facilitate conformance with an attachment surface. Specifically, each mounting leg includes a flexible portion disposed between the mounting aperture and the support member. This flexible portion has a bending moment that is less than the bending moment of at least one adjacent portion of the mounting leg. In this regard, the flexible portion facilitates conformance of the mounting leg to the attachment surface. For instance, such flexible portions may include, without limitation, a hinge member, an area having a reduced cross-sectional area in relation to a cross-sectional area of an adjacent portion of the mounting leg, an area having a reduced moment of inertia about a given axis in relation to a moment of inertia about the same axis of adjacent portions of the mounting leg and/or an area having an increased ductility in relation to the ductility of adjacent portions of the mounting leg.
- In the arrangement where the flexible portion includes a hinge member, such a hinge member may further include a stop for limiting movement of the hinge member after the mounting leg is conformed to the attachment surface. Such a stop may include an attachment device for attaching each flexible portion of the mounting leg relative to the attachment surface. Alternatively, where the flexible portion is a hinge member, the stop may be any mechanism that eliminates relative movement of mating members of the hinge once in a desired position. For instance, the hinge may be deformable after the mounting leg is disposed in a desired position. In this arrangement, the hinge may be crimped or otherwise compressed to eliminate movement between hingedly connected portions of the mounting leg and/or support member. Accordingly, to enhance such functionality, one or more interfacing surfaces of the hinge may be serrated such that crimping/compression interlocks serrations on mating surfaces. Alternatively, an oversized hinge pin may be utilized (e.g., tapered) such that once the mounting leg is disposed in the desired position, the oversized hinge pin may be forced through apertures within the hinge and thereby prevent further rotative movement of the hinge. Such an oversized hinge pin may also be serrated.
- In an arrangement where the flexible portion of the mounting leg is one or more areas along the length of the mounting leg having a reduced cross-sectional area (e.g., having a reduced bending moment), the shape of the reduced cross-sectional area may be different than the cross-sectional shape of other portions of the mounting leg. Alternatively, the flexible portions may be formed of a material having an increased ductility (e.g., a softer material) in comparison to the materials forming the adjacent portions of the mounting leg. Further, such different material sections (e.g., more ductile) may incorporated into one or more areas along the length of the mounting leg. Again, what is important is that the application of an applied stress to the mounting leg (e.g., at its distal end) will result in the flexible portion deforming prior to the remainder of the leg deforming.
- In a further arrangement of the present aspect an adjuster may be incorporated with each mounting leg. Such an adjuster may allow for selectively adjustable movement of a portion of the mounting leg and/or the support member after the mounting leg has been attached to the attachment surface. For instance, such an adjuster may apply a force between the patient's skull and the mounting leg to lift a portion of the mounting leg between an attachment device (e.g., screw) and the support member. As will be appreciated, by lifting a portion of the mounting leg between its attachment point and the support member, a portion of the support member may be directed relative to a patient's skull (e.g., directed towards a auditory component). This may facilitate interconnecting hearing aid componentry to a patient's auditory system (e.g., an ossicle, oval window, tympanic membrane and/or cochlea). Examples of adjusters that may be utilized include, without limitation, jack screws disposed through a portion of each leg and/or wedges that may be inserted beneath each leg. In an arrangement where a jack screw is utilized, a support plate may be disposed beneath the jack screw to provide a solid support surface.
- A method for conforming a mounting apparatus to an attachment surface of a bone is also disclosed. The method is directed to use of a mounting apparatus that includes a support member and a plurality of mounting legs interconnected to and extending laterally from a support member in different directions. Further, the apparatus includes a plurality of guide legs interconnected to and extending laterally away from the support member. In particular, the method includes the steps of positioning the support member of the mounting apparatus relative to a surface of a patient bone (e.g., into an opening defined in a patient's skull), and conforming at least one guide leg relative to the attachment surface. Once the at least one guide leg is conformed (e.g., to define an attachment surface topology profile), the mounting apparatus may be removed from the attachment surface and a mounting leg corresponding to the conformed guide leg may be deformed/bent to match the profile defined by the guide leg. As will be appreciated, the plurality (e.g., all) of the guide legs may be conformed while the support member is positioned relative to the attachment surface. Likewise, all of the mounting legs may be deformed to match corresponding guide legs upon removal from the attachment surface. As will be appreciated, this may reduce the number of iterations required to fit the mounting apparatus to an attachment surface.
- Once all the mounting legs are deformed, the guide legs may, optionally, be removed from the mounting legs. This may entail cutting or breaking the guide legs from the support member and/or removing a removable guide from the support member. In any case, the support member may be repositioned relative to the attachment surface and the deformed mounting legs may be interconnected to the attachment surface.
- Once the mounting legs are secured to the attachment surface, an adjuster may be utilized to adjust a position of one or more mounting legs to direct support member to a desired orientation.
- Numerous additional aspects and variances will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the further description that follows. Furthermore, it will be noted that additional combinations of the above-identified aspects may be utilized. For instance, such variations may include a support member having mounting legs, flexible portions, adjusters and/or guide legs in any appropriate combination.
-
FIG. 1 illustrates a first embodiment of a mounting apparatus, together with an exemplary hearing aid device; -
FIG. 2 a shows a perspective view of the first embodiment of the mounting apparatus; -
FIG. 2 b shows a side view of the first embodiment of the mounting apparatus; -
FIG. 3 illustrates a second embodiment of the mounting apparatus; -
FIG. 4 shows an exploded view of the second embodiment of the mounting apparatus; -
FIG. 5 illustrates a third embodiment of the mounting apparatus; -
FIGS. 6 a-6 c illustrate optional components that may be utilized with the third embodiment; -
FIG. 7 a illustrates a fourth embodiment of the mounting apparatus; -
FIG. 7 b shows the fourth embodiment upon interconnection to a patient's skull; -
FIG. 8 illustrates a fifth embodiment of the mounting apparatus; and -
FIG. 9 illustrates the first embodiment upon interconnection to a patient's skull. - Set forth herein is a mounting apparatus and method for supportably mounting an implantable device to an attachment surface of a bone of a patient. As discussed herein, the mounting apparatus is utilized for mounting an implantable hearing device relative to patient's skull, however, it will be appreciated that certain aspects of the apparatus are not limited to implantable hearing devices and/or skull attachment and may be utilized to attach other devices to other bones. As presented herein, the mounting apparatus includes a support member adapted for supporting an implantable device and a plurality of mounting legs extending laterally from the support member in different directions. Furthermore, the mounting apparatus utilizes one or more conformance mechanisms to facilitates the deformation of the mounting legs relative to an attachment surface to enhance conformance of the mounting apparatus to the surface as well as provide improved position flexibility while further improving overall ease of installation.
-
FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the mountingapparatus 10. In this embodiment, the mounting apparatus includes four mountinglegs 30A-30D that radially extend in different directions from afirst end 22 of asupport member 20. As shown, each of the mountinglegs 30A-D include a base that adjoins thesupport member 20 and at least one, and more preferably a plurality ofapertures 32A-32B. Theapertures 32A-B are each provided to selectively receive an attachment device 40 (e.g., a screw) therethrough for attachment to, in the present embodiment, a patient's skull. For such purposes, each of theapertures 32A-B may be beveled on a topside to facilitate secure interconnection with a complimentary shaped surface ofattachment devices 40, while also reducing the overall profile of the apparatus upon interconnection. Though shown with twoapertures 32A-B, it will be appreciated that additional apertures may be included. - As shown in
FIG. 1 , thesupport member 20 is defined by acylindrical barrel 24 through which an implantable hearing aid device may be selectively and supportably positioned. Particularly, an exemplary hearing aid device 60 (e.g., an electromechanical transducer) is shown for use with the mountingapparatus 10. As illustrated, the barrel of thesupport member 20 may be provided with anend plate 26 on which at least a portion of the implantablehearing aid device 60 may be supportably received. Further, a portion of an inside surface of thebarrel 24 may be threaded to receive alocking ring 50 and thereby supportably capture a portion of the implantablehearing aid device 60 between the lockingring 50 andend plate 26. In conjunction with the mountingapparatus 10 being implanted within a patient's skull and thehearing aid device 60 being secured therein, anactuator end 62 of thedevice 60 may be interconnected to a middle ear component (e.g., an ossicle bone) to provide mechanical stimulation thereof. A further description of such a mountingapparatus 10 and hearing aid device is provided in U.S. Pat. No. 6,293,903, entitled “Apparatus and Method for Mounting Implantable Hearing Aid Device”, issued Sep. 25, 2001, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. - As shown in
FIGS. 2A and 2B , the mountinglegs 30A-D each adjoin the top end of thesupport member 20 in a substantially common plane in order to provide a low profile fit against the patient's skull. As shown, thesupport member 20 is disposed at an acute angle relative to the common plane. Such angular offset may facilitate the positioning of a hearing aid device (e.g., a middle ear actuator) by the mountingapparatus 10 in a desired location within a patient's skull. However, such an angular offset is not required. Further, the mountinglegs 30A-D may be provided to be bendable up/down within a predetermined angular range relative to thesupport member 20. Thebendable mounting legs 30A-D facilitate conformal interconnection of the mountingapparatus 10 to the skull, thereby yielding a low profile mounting apparatus that may provide for improved patient comfort. - Bending the mounting
legs 30A-D to conform to the patient's skull may, in some instances, require that the mountingapparatus 10 be repeatedly inserted into an aperture defined within a patient's skull such that the position of each mountingleg 30A-D may be identified relative to the topology of the skull. Accordingly, the mountingapparatus 10 may be inserted and removed such that each mountingleg 30A-D may be adjusted to provide a more conformal fit. As will be appreciated, this may result in increased surgical time as well as poor conformance of the mountinglegs 30A-D to the topology of the patient's skull. Accordingly, the present mounting apparatus includes one or more conformance mechanisms that allows for more readily conforming the mountinglegs 30A-D to an attachment surface of the skull of a patient. - As shown in
FIGS. 1 and 2 , a first embodiment of the conformance mechanism for conforming the mountinglegs 30A-D to an attachment surface includes a plurality ofguide legs 70A-D or “whiskers.” These guidelegs 70A-D correspond to the number of mountinglegs 30A-D and are each typically disposed substantially adjacent to a corresponding mountingleg 30A-D. Generally, theguide legs 70A-D have a reduced yield strength (e.g., stiffness) in comparison to their corresponding mountinglegs 30A-D. As used herein, the term “yield strength” refers to plastic deformation (e.g., where the deformation remains after the stress is removed) of the guide leg caused by an applied stress. This yield strength may be constant along the length of the guide leg or may vary, for example, with a varying cross-sectional size of the guide leg. In any case, it is preferable that a guide leg deforms more readily than its corresponding mountingleg 30A-D. In this regard, the minimum yield strength along the length of aguide leg 70 will typically be less than a minimum yield strength along the length of a corresponding mountingleg 30. - Generally, the reduced yield strength will allow the
guide legs 70A-D to be readily conformed to the topology of the patient's skull while the mountingapparatus 10 is disposed in an aperture of the skull. Accordingly, once the mountingapparatus 10 is removed from the skull, each mountinglegs 30A-D may be deformed to match the contour defined by thecorresponding guide leg 70A-D. As will be appreciated, this may reduce the number of iterations required to conformally fit the mountinglegs 30A-D to the skull of the patient. Likewise, this may reduce surgical time and/or patient discomfort while providing an improved fit. - As noted, the yield strength of the
guide legs 70A-D is reduced in comparison to the yield strength of the mountinglegs 30A-D. This may be accomplished in a number of different ways. As shown, theguide legs 70A-D have a substantially reduced cross section in relation to the cross section of the mountinglegs 30A-D. Accordingly, theguide legs 70A-D have a significantly reduced bending moment. In addition to having a reduced cross section, theguide legs 70A-D may also be formed of a separate material that may have, for example, a greater malleability than the material of the mountinglegs 30A-D. However, it will be appreciated that theguide legs 70A-D and mountinglegs 30A-D may also be formed of the same material such that the mountingapparatus 10 including the mountinglegs 30A-D and guidelegs 70A-D are an integrally formed unit. -
FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of a mountingapparatus 10 that utilizes a plurality ofguide legs 70A-D for use in conforming the mountinglegs 30A-D to the skull of a patient. In the embodiment ofFIG. 3 , the plurality ofguide legs 70A-D are formed on aremoveable guide assembly 72 that may be selectively applied to the end of the mountingapparatus 10, as shown inFIG. 4 . - The
removeable guide assembly 72 includes threeclips guide 72 and itsguide legs 70A-D relative to theend 22 of the mountingapparatus 10. In this regard, two opposingclips 76A, 76B are disposed beneath opposing mountinglegs removeable guide assembly 72 is disposed against theend 22 of the mountingapparatus 20. Furthermore, acentral clip 78 is utilized to maintain the center portion of theremoveable guide assembly 72 relative to theend 22 of thesupport member 20. In this regard, thesupport member 20 further includes a nub 74 positioned to receive thecentral clip 78. However, it will be appreciated that the utilization of thecentral clip 78 andnub 74 is not required. For instance, eachguide leg 70A-D may include its own clip for holding thatguide leg 70A-D relative to a corresponding mountingleg 30A-D. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that such aremoveable guide assembly 72 may be utilized with existing mounting apparatuses. - The use of a
removeable guide assembly 72 facilitates the utilization of soft malleable materials for theguide legs 70A-D. That is, utilization of the removeable guide 72 allows for using a soft/malleable material (i.e., in comparison to the material utilized to form the mountinglegs 30A-D) without the problems that may be associated with adjoining dissimilar materials in an integrally formed mounting apparatus incorporating “soft” guide legs. Of course, the cross-sectional size of the guide legs of aremovable guide assembly 72 may also be reduced in comparison with the cross-sectional size of the mountinglegs 30A-D. - Another mechanism for conforming the mounting
legs 30A-D relative to a patient's skull is shown inFIG. 5 . In this embodiment, each mountingleg 30A-D incorporates ahinge member 100. As shown, thehinge member 100 is disposed between the base of each mountingleg 30A-D and distal end of eachleg 30A-D. More particularly, thehinge member 100 is disposed between the base and at least one mounting aperture 32 in each leg. However, it will be appreciated that thehinge member 100 may be disposed more distally along each mountingleg 30A-D. - The
hinge member 100 allows for each mountingleg 30A-D to conform relative to the patient's skull. In this regard,such hinge members 100 may eliminate the need to remove the mountingapparatus 10 for conforming purposes during implantation. However, to provide a secure fit for thesupport member 20, the flexibility of thehinge members 100 may have to be reduced and/or eliminated upon the mountingapparatus 10 being implanted. FIGS. 6A-C illustrate three stop mechanisms limiting and/or preventing movement of thehinge member 100 once the mountinglegs 30A-D have been disposed in a desired position. - As shown in
FIG. 6A , thehinge member 100 includes a knuckle 102 interconnected to the end of thesupport member 20, aclevis 104 attached to theguide leg 30 that includes opposing legs disposed on opposing sides of the knuckle 102, and apin 106 extending through apertures in the first leg of theclevis 104, the knuckle 102, and the second leg of theclevis 104. Though discussed with theclevis 104 being disposed on the mountingleg 30 and the knuckle 102 being disposed on thesupport member 20, it will be appreciated that the members may be reversed. To limit the movement of thehinge member 100, the mating surfaces of theclevis 106 and knuckle 102 are matingly serrated. Furthermore, the inside surface of the head 108 of thepin 106 may also be serrated. Accordingly, by compressing the head 108 of thepin 106 and the outside edge of the second leg of theclevis 104 as shown in the arrows inFIG. 6A , theclevis 104 may be shaped such that serrations on the components mate and thereby prevent thehinge member 100 from moving. -
FIG. 6B shows a second mechanism for limiting the movement of thehinge member 100. As shown, atapered hinge pin 106 is utilized to interconnect theclevis 104 and the knuckle 102. In this regard, by pressing thetapered pin 106 through the mating components, a compressive force is formed between thepin 106 theclevis 104 and knuckle 102. Accordingly, movement of those components may be reduced and/or eliminated. -
FIG. 6C shows a third mechanism that may be utilized alone and/or in combination with the above-noted mechanisms. As shown,FIG. 6C utilizes a serrated aperture through theclevis 104 and/or knuckle 102 as well as aserrated pin 106. In this regard, by placing each mountingleg 30A-D at a desired position on the skull, and providing a slight axial or compressive force to the mounting leg, serrations on thehinge pin 106 may meet with serrations on the inside surface of the aperture, thereby preventing further rotation of the mountingleg 30. -
FIG. 7A shows a second embodiment of the mountingapparatus 10, which incorporates thehinge member 100. In addition to incorporating thehinge member 100, the mountingapparatus 10 further includesadjusters 130A-D for use in adjusting the position of thesupport member 20 after attachment to a patient's skull. As shown, theadjuster 130 comprises a jack screw that is disposed through each mountingleg 30A-D between thehinge member 100 and the aperture 32 of each mountingleg 30A-D. Optionally, the mountingapparatus 10 may further include asupport plate 140 that may be positioned beneath the mountinglegs 30A-D around the periphery of thesupport member 20. Thesupport plate 140 may provide a solid surface against which theadjuster 130 may press to position thesupport member 20. - As shown in
FIG. 7B , the mountingapparatus 10 is secured to a patient'sskull 150. In this regard, thebarrel 24 of thesupport member 20 is disposed through an aperture within theskull 150. Accordingly, anattachment device 40 may be disposed through one or more of theapertures 32A-B in each mountingleg 30A-D to affix each mountingleg 30A-D to the patient'sskull 150. - While utilization of the
hinge member 100 improves the conformance of the mountingapparatus 10 to the patient'sskull 150, thebarrel 24 of the mountingapparatus 10 may become misaligned with a middle ear component (e.g., an ossicle) during the attachment procedure. Accordingly, attachment of thehearing instrument 60 to the middle ear component may become problematic. In this regard, utilization of theadjusters 130A-D allows for post attachment alignment of the mountingapparatus 10 with, for example, a middle ear component. - As shown in
FIG. 7B , theadjuster 130 may be adjusted (e.g., threaded in) such that a portion of the mountingleg 30 near thehinge member 100 is lifted off the surface of the patient'sskull 150. In the case where theadjuster 130 comprises a jack screw, the tip of the jack screw may press against the support plate 140 (i.e., when utilized) and thereby lift a portion of the mountingleg 30 relative to theskull 150. Accordingly, by lifting a portion of the mountingleg 30 near thehinge member 100, the position of thebarrel 24 of the mountingapparatus 10 may be adjusted. Accordingly, by adjusting all of theadjusters 130A-D, thebarrel 24 may be aligned with a middle ear component to facilitate interconnection of ahearing instrument 60 thereto. - Though discussed in relation to the use of a jack screw, it will be appreciated that the
adjuster 130 may be any component that is operable to move (e.g., lift) a portion of the mountinglegs 30A-D in order to adjust the position of thebarrel 24. For instance, wedges that may be inserted between the patient'sskull 150 and/or thesupport plate 140 and each mountingleg 30 may also be utilized. -
FIG. 8 shows a further embodiment of a mechanism for use in forming the mountinglegs 30A-D relative to the patient's skull. In particular, each mountingleg 30A-D incorporates aflexible portion 160 disposed between the mountingapertures 32A-N and thesupport member 20. Theflexible portion 160 has a bending moment that is less than the bending moment of an adjacent portion of the mountinglegs 30A-D. As shown, theflexible portion 160 generally has a smaller cross-sectional area as compared to the cross-sectional area of adjacent portions of the mountinglegs 30A-C. Of note, this reduced cross-sectional size may further incorporate a different cross-sectional shape (e.g., round vs. rectangular). What is important is that aflexible portion 160 of each mountingleg 30A-D will, in view of an applied stress, deflect/bend prior to another portion of the mountingleg 30A-D bending. As will be appreciated, utilization of theflexible portion 160 may also allow for in-place deflection of the mountinglegs 30A-D when the mountingapparatus 10 is disposed within a patient's skull. - The
flexible portion 160 may be formed of the same material as the remainder of each mountingleg 30. However, theflexible portion 160 may also be made of a dissimilar material (e.g., softer/less stiff material). In this latter regard, the flexible portion 120 may not require a reduced cross section relative to the remainder of the leg. Finally, it will be noted that variations may be made to the present embodiment. For instance, a number offlexible portions 160 may be disposed along the length of each mountingleg 30A-D to facilitate conformance along the entire length of the mounting leg. - An exemplary use of the present invention will now be described with reference to
FIG. 9 . Initially, medical personnel access the mastoid process of a given patient via an incision made behind the patient's ear.Accessory devices 180 may be utilized for maintaining such assess during the implant procedure. Next, an access opening may be formed at a selected location thru the mastoid process (e.g., via drilling). Such access opening should be large enough to facilitate placement of a selected mountingapparatus 10 therethrough. In this regard, the particular mountingapparatus embodiment 10 utilized for a given patient may be selected from a plurality of different embodiments (e.g., the alternative embodiments shown above) as may be appropriate for a given patient. The selected mounting apparatus embodiment may then be positioned through the defined access opening. For purposes of this example, the mountingapparatus 10 ofFIG. 1 utilizingguide legs 70 is described. - The above procedures may be completed with the access orientation of the mounting
apparatus 10 selected so as to provide a straight-line access through thebarrel portion 24 of the mountingapparatus 10 to the middle ear of the patient including, for example, the osticular chain and/or oval window. Following the desired positioning of the mountingapparatus 10, guidelegs 70A-D may be bent into conformal skull engagement. Once theguide legs 70A-D are conformal with the skull, the mountingapparatus 10 may be removed from the access opening such that the mountinglegs 30A-D may be deformed to match the contours/profiles defined by eachguide leg 70A-D. Theguide legs 70A-D may be removed from the mountingapparatus 10 if desired. In the case of the first embodiment wherein theguide legs 70A-D are integrally formed with the mountingapparatus 10, this may entail cutting or otherwise breaking theguide legs 70A-D from thesupport member 20. When utilizing the removeable guide leg apparatus, this may simply entail removing the removeable guide 72 from the mountingapparatus 10. In any case, once theguide legs 70A-D are removed, the mountingapparatus 10 may be reinserted within the access opening. Then the apparatus may be secured to the patient's skull via the insertion and interconnection of one or more attachment devices (e.g., screws) through one or more selectedapertures 32A-N. - After placement of the
apparatus 10, the implantablehearing aid device 60 may be supportably positioned into thecylindrical barrel 24 of thesupport member 20. By way of example, the implantable hearing aid device may comprise an electromechanical transducer having a probe tip adapted for selective contact positioning relative to a middle ear bone or oval window of a patient. Following the desired positioning of the implantablehearing aid device 60, connections to other components of the hearing aid system may be completed. - The foregoing description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of facilitating and understanding of the invention. Other embodiments, applications, and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art and are intended to be within the scope of the present invention as defined by the claims that follow.
Claims (31)
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US11/224,489 US7326171B2 (en) | 2004-09-10 | 2005-09-12 | Adjustable bone bracket |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US60881604P | 2004-09-10 | 2004-09-10 | |
US11/224,489 US7326171B2 (en) | 2004-09-10 | 2005-09-12 | Adjustable bone bracket |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20060058819A1 true US20060058819A1 (en) | 2006-03-16 |
US7326171B2 US7326171B2 (en) | 2008-02-05 |
Family
ID=36060628
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US11/224,489 Expired - Fee Related US7326171B2 (en) | 2004-09-10 | 2005-09-12 | Adjustable bone bracket |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US7326171B2 (en) |
EP (1) | EP1792519A4 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2006031767A2 (en) |
Cited By (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20100069997A1 (en) * | 2008-09-16 | 2010-03-18 | Otologics, Llc | Neurostimulation apparatus |
WO2010111547A1 (en) * | 2009-03-25 | 2010-09-30 | Cochlear Americas | Transcutaneous bone conduction system |
US20100268313A1 (en) * | 2009-04-16 | 2010-10-21 | Otologics, Llc | Reference electrode apparatus and method for neurostimulation implants |
US20140121447A1 (en) * | 2012-07-16 | 2014-05-01 | Sophono, Inc | Cover for Magnetic Implant in a Bone Conduction Hearing Aid System, and Corresponding Devices, Components and Methods |
WO2014192586A1 (en) * | 2013-05-29 | 2014-12-04 | 株式会社大野興業 | Surgical instrument and verification instrument, and method for producing these instruments |
US9210521B2 (en) | 2012-07-16 | 2015-12-08 | Sophono, Inc. | Abutment attachment systems, mechanisms, devices, components and methods for bone conduction hearing aids |
US20160354095A1 (en) * | 2013-03-15 | 2016-12-08 | Neuropace, Inc. | Surgical accessory for use in implanting medical device |
US20210290275A1 (en) * | 2020-03-17 | 2021-09-23 | Aegis Spine, Inc. | Spinal plate |
Families Citing this family (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
AR076590A1 (en) * | 2009-05-19 | 2011-06-22 | Vivia Biotech Sl | METHODS TO PROVIDE EX LIVE PERSONALIZED MEDICAL TESTS FOR HEMATOLOGICAL NEOPLASMS |
Citations (34)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4655776A (en) * | 1984-01-12 | 1987-04-07 | Oto Enterprises, Inc. | Prostheses for ossicular reconstruction |
US4729366A (en) * | 1984-12-04 | 1988-03-08 | Medical Devices Group, Inc. | Implantable hearing aid and method of improving hearing |
US4850962A (en) * | 1984-12-04 | 1989-07-25 | Medical Devices Group, Inc. | Implantable hearing aid and method of improving hearing |
US4922333A (en) * | 1988-12-15 | 1990-05-01 | Eastman Kodak Company | Video copying apparatus spectrally-responsive to slides or negatives |
US4957478A (en) * | 1988-10-17 | 1990-09-18 | Maniglia Anthony J | Partially implantable hearing aid device |
US4969900A (en) * | 1987-03-06 | 1990-11-13 | Gerald Fleischer | Middle ear prosthesis and method for mounting it |
US5015224A (en) * | 1988-10-17 | 1991-05-14 | Maniglia Anthony J | Partially implantable hearing aid device |
US5024224A (en) * | 1988-09-01 | 1991-06-18 | Storz Instrument Company | Method of readout of implanted hearing aid device and apparatus therefor |
US5085628A (en) * | 1988-09-09 | 1992-02-04 | Storz Instrument Company | Implantable hearing aid coupler device |
US5163957A (en) * | 1991-09-10 | 1992-11-17 | Smith & Nephew Richards, Inc. | Ossicular prosthesis for mounting magnet |
US5217011A (en) * | 1989-06-20 | 1993-06-08 | Storz Instrument Company | Method and apparatus for transdermal communication |
US5498226A (en) * | 1990-03-05 | 1996-03-12 | Lenkauskas; Edmundas | Totally implanted hearing device |
US5531787A (en) * | 1993-01-25 | 1996-07-02 | Lesinski; S. George | Implantable auditory system with micromachined microsensor and microactuator |
US5549658A (en) * | 1994-10-24 | 1996-08-27 | Advanced Bionics Corporation | Four-Channel cochlear system with a passive, non-hermetically sealed implant |
US5558618A (en) * | 1995-01-23 | 1996-09-24 | Maniglia; Anthony J. | Semi-implantable middle ear hearing device |
US5702342A (en) * | 1993-10-14 | 1997-12-30 | Otologics Llc. | Directionally-controllable mounting apparatus |
US5788711A (en) * | 1996-05-10 | 1998-08-04 | Implex Gmgh Spezialhorgerate | Implantable positioning and fixing system for actuator and sensor implants |
US5836863A (en) * | 1996-08-07 | 1998-11-17 | St. Croix Medical, Inc. | Hearing aid transducer support |
US5906635A (en) * | 1995-01-23 | 1999-05-25 | Maniglia; Anthony J. | Electromagnetic implantable hearing device for improvement of partial and total sensoryneural hearing loss |
US5983072A (en) * | 1994-10-06 | 1999-11-09 | Nokia Telecommunications Oy | Establishing a telecommunications connection in a mobile communication system |
US5987859A (en) * | 1998-07-24 | 1999-11-23 | Hayssen, Inc. | Product orientation for elongated products |
US5999632A (en) * | 1997-11-26 | 1999-12-07 | Implex Aktiengesellschaft Hearing Technology | Fixation element for an implantable microphone |
US6001129A (en) * | 1996-08-07 | 1999-12-14 | St. Croix Medical, Inc. | Hearing aid transducer support |
US6010532A (en) * | 1996-11-25 | 2000-01-04 | St. Croix Medical, Inc. | Dual path implantable hearing assistance device |
US6188872B1 (en) * | 1997-10-03 | 2001-02-13 | Mitsubishi Materials Corporation | Method of checking and acknowledging reception of data in a two-way radio communication system |
US6293903B1 (en) * | 2000-05-30 | 2001-09-25 | Otologics Llc | Apparatus and method for mounting implantable hearing aid device |
US6323755B1 (en) * | 1998-08-19 | 2001-11-27 | International Business Machines Corporation | Dynamic bus locking in a cross bar switch |
US6373833B1 (en) * | 1996-07-25 | 2002-04-16 | Nokia Telecommunications Oy | Cell expansion in a time division cellular system using frequency converting repeaters |
US6400959B1 (en) * | 1997-11-19 | 2002-06-04 | Mitsubishi Materials Corporation | Communication system and communication method with diversity features |
US6398717B1 (en) * | 1999-05-21 | 2002-06-04 | Phonak Ag | Device for mechanical coupling of an electromechanical hearing aid converter which can be implanted in a mastoid cavity |
US6491622B1 (en) * | 2000-05-30 | 2002-12-10 | Otologics Llc | Apparatus and method for positioning implantable hearing aid device |
US6517476B1 (en) * | 2000-05-30 | 2003-02-11 | Otologics Llc | Connector for implantable hearing aid |
US6547715B1 (en) * | 1999-07-08 | 2003-04-15 | Phonak Ag | Arrangement for mechanical coupling of a driver to a coupling site of the ossicular chain |
US6748212B2 (en) * | 1999-12-29 | 2004-06-08 | Airnet Communications Corporation | Method and apparatus for backhaul link diagnostic in a wireless repeater system |
Family Cites Families (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
IL119942A (en) * | 1996-12-31 | 2002-03-10 | M P R S Ltd | Modular implant for pelvis reconstruction |
US6325755B1 (en) | 1997-08-07 | 2001-12-04 | St. Croix Medical, Inc. | Mountable transducer assembly with removable sleeve |
-
2005
- 2005-09-12 EP EP05795999A patent/EP1792519A4/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2005-09-12 US US11/224,489 patent/US7326171B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2005-09-12 WO PCT/US2005/032477 patent/WO2006031767A2/en active Application Filing
Patent Citations (35)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4655776A (en) * | 1984-01-12 | 1987-04-07 | Oto Enterprises, Inc. | Prostheses for ossicular reconstruction |
US4729366A (en) * | 1984-12-04 | 1988-03-08 | Medical Devices Group, Inc. | Implantable hearing aid and method of improving hearing |
US4850962A (en) * | 1984-12-04 | 1989-07-25 | Medical Devices Group, Inc. | Implantable hearing aid and method of improving hearing |
US4969900A (en) * | 1987-03-06 | 1990-11-13 | Gerald Fleischer | Middle ear prosthesis and method for mounting it |
US5024224A (en) * | 1988-09-01 | 1991-06-18 | Storz Instrument Company | Method of readout of implanted hearing aid device and apparatus therefor |
US5085628A (en) * | 1988-09-09 | 1992-02-04 | Storz Instrument Company | Implantable hearing aid coupler device |
US4957478A (en) * | 1988-10-17 | 1990-09-18 | Maniglia Anthony J | Partially implantable hearing aid device |
US5015224A (en) * | 1988-10-17 | 1991-05-14 | Maniglia Anthony J | Partially implantable hearing aid device |
US4922333A (en) * | 1988-12-15 | 1990-05-01 | Eastman Kodak Company | Video copying apparatus spectrally-responsive to slides or negatives |
US5217011A (en) * | 1989-06-20 | 1993-06-08 | Storz Instrument Company | Method and apparatus for transdermal communication |
US5498226A (en) * | 1990-03-05 | 1996-03-12 | Lenkauskas; Edmundas | Totally implanted hearing device |
US5163957A (en) * | 1991-09-10 | 1992-11-17 | Smith & Nephew Richards, Inc. | Ossicular prosthesis for mounting magnet |
US5531787A (en) * | 1993-01-25 | 1996-07-02 | Lesinski; S. George | Implantable auditory system with micromachined microsensor and microactuator |
US5702342A (en) * | 1993-10-14 | 1997-12-30 | Otologics Llc. | Directionally-controllable mounting apparatus |
US5983072A (en) * | 1994-10-06 | 1999-11-09 | Nokia Telecommunications Oy | Establishing a telecommunications connection in a mobile communication system |
US5749912A (en) * | 1994-10-24 | 1998-05-12 | House Ear Institute | Low-cost, four-channel cochlear implant |
US5549658A (en) * | 1994-10-24 | 1996-08-27 | Advanced Bionics Corporation | Four-Channel cochlear system with a passive, non-hermetically sealed implant |
US5558618A (en) * | 1995-01-23 | 1996-09-24 | Maniglia; Anthony J. | Semi-implantable middle ear hearing device |
US5906635A (en) * | 1995-01-23 | 1999-05-25 | Maniglia; Anthony J. | Electromagnetic implantable hearing device for improvement of partial and total sensoryneural hearing loss |
US5788711A (en) * | 1996-05-10 | 1998-08-04 | Implex Gmgh Spezialhorgerate | Implantable positioning and fixing system for actuator and sensor implants |
US6373833B1 (en) * | 1996-07-25 | 2002-04-16 | Nokia Telecommunications Oy | Cell expansion in a time division cellular system using frequency converting repeaters |
US5836863A (en) * | 1996-08-07 | 1998-11-17 | St. Croix Medical, Inc. | Hearing aid transducer support |
US6001129A (en) * | 1996-08-07 | 1999-12-14 | St. Croix Medical, Inc. | Hearing aid transducer support |
US6010532A (en) * | 1996-11-25 | 2000-01-04 | St. Croix Medical, Inc. | Dual path implantable hearing assistance device |
US6188872B1 (en) * | 1997-10-03 | 2001-02-13 | Mitsubishi Materials Corporation | Method of checking and acknowledging reception of data in a two-way radio communication system |
US6400959B1 (en) * | 1997-11-19 | 2002-06-04 | Mitsubishi Materials Corporation | Communication system and communication method with diversity features |
US5999632A (en) * | 1997-11-26 | 1999-12-07 | Implex Aktiengesellschaft Hearing Technology | Fixation element for an implantable microphone |
US5987859A (en) * | 1998-07-24 | 1999-11-23 | Hayssen, Inc. | Product orientation for elongated products |
US6323755B1 (en) * | 1998-08-19 | 2001-11-27 | International Business Machines Corporation | Dynamic bus locking in a cross bar switch |
US6398717B1 (en) * | 1999-05-21 | 2002-06-04 | Phonak Ag | Device for mechanical coupling of an electromechanical hearing aid converter which can be implanted in a mastoid cavity |
US6547715B1 (en) * | 1999-07-08 | 2003-04-15 | Phonak Ag | Arrangement for mechanical coupling of a driver to a coupling site of the ossicular chain |
US6748212B2 (en) * | 1999-12-29 | 2004-06-08 | Airnet Communications Corporation | Method and apparatus for backhaul link diagnostic in a wireless repeater system |
US6293903B1 (en) * | 2000-05-30 | 2001-09-25 | Otologics Llc | Apparatus and method for mounting implantable hearing aid device |
US6491622B1 (en) * | 2000-05-30 | 2002-12-10 | Otologics Llc | Apparatus and method for positioning implantable hearing aid device |
US6517476B1 (en) * | 2000-05-30 | 2003-02-11 | Otologics Llc | Connector for implantable hearing aid |
Cited By (16)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20100069997A1 (en) * | 2008-09-16 | 2010-03-18 | Otologics, Llc | Neurostimulation apparatus |
US8913770B2 (en) * | 2009-03-25 | 2014-12-16 | Cochlear Limited | Transcutaneous bone conduction system |
US20120095283A1 (en) * | 2009-03-25 | 2012-04-19 | Andersson Marcus | Transcutaneous bone conduction system |
WO2010111547A1 (en) * | 2009-03-25 | 2010-09-30 | Cochlear Americas | Transcutaneous bone conduction system |
US20100268313A1 (en) * | 2009-04-16 | 2010-10-21 | Otologics, Llc | Reference electrode apparatus and method for neurostimulation implants |
WO2010120979A1 (en) * | 2009-04-16 | 2010-10-21 | Otologics, Llc | Reference electrode apparatus and method for neurostimulation implants |
US9044588B2 (en) * | 2009-04-16 | 2015-06-02 | Cochlear Limited | Reference electrode apparatus and method for neurostimulation implants |
US20140121447A1 (en) * | 2012-07-16 | 2014-05-01 | Sophono, Inc | Cover for Magnetic Implant in a Bone Conduction Hearing Aid System, and Corresponding Devices, Components and Methods |
US9210521B2 (en) | 2012-07-16 | 2015-12-08 | Sophono, Inc. | Abutment attachment systems, mechanisms, devices, components and methods for bone conduction hearing aids |
US20160354095A1 (en) * | 2013-03-15 | 2016-12-08 | Neuropace, Inc. | Surgical accessory for use in implanting medical device |
WO2014192586A1 (en) * | 2013-05-29 | 2014-12-04 | 株式会社大野興業 | Surgical instrument and verification instrument, and method for producing these instruments |
JP2014230635A (en) * | 2013-05-29 | 2014-12-11 | 株式会社大野興業 | Surgery jig and confirmation jig, and method for manufacturing them |
US10327788B2 (en) | 2013-05-29 | 2019-06-25 | Ono & Co., Ltd. | Surgical jig, verification jig, and methods for producing these jigs |
US20210290275A1 (en) * | 2020-03-17 | 2021-09-23 | Aegis Spine, Inc. | Spinal plate |
US11129650B1 (en) * | 2020-03-17 | 2021-09-28 | Aegis Spine, Inc. | Spinal plate |
AU2021200633B2 (en) * | 2020-03-17 | 2023-01-05 | Aegis Spine, Inc. | Spinal plate |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP1792519A4 (en) | 2010-09-15 |
US7326171B2 (en) | 2008-02-05 |
WO2006031767A2 (en) | 2006-03-23 |
WO2006031767A3 (en) | 2006-11-23 |
EP1792519A2 (en) | 2007-06-06 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US7326171B2 (en) | Adjustable bone bracket | |
US10645502B2 (en) | Spanning connector for implantable hearing instrument | |
US6726719B2 (en) | Attachment mechanism for middle ear prosthesis | |
US6293903B1 (en) | Apparatus and method for mounting implantable hearing aid device | |
US6325755B1 (en) | Mountable transducer assembly with removable sleeve | |
US20240107243A1 (en) | Bone conduction implant | |
CN101690266B (en) | Middle ear implant | |
US20020045939A1 (en) | Arrangement for coupling hearing implant | |
EP1048320A3 (en) | Adjustable medical lead fixation system | |
EP3000441A1 (en) | Medical implant system for fixing a hearing device | |
EP2876901B1 (en) | Hearing aid interconnection system | |
US20120197066A1 (en) | Coupling apparatus | |
US20020183586A1 (en) | Flexible transducer supports | |
US20080004486A1 (en) | Compressive coupling of an implantable hearing aid actuator to an auditory component | |
US8641760B2 (en) | Ossicular prosthesis with stabilizer and method of use with intact stapes | |
JP6930968B2 (en) | Eyelid support and related methods | |
CN109863763B (en) | Implantable transducer system | |
KR20120052234A (en) | Coupling apparatus | |
WO2011029960A2 (en) | Hearing instrument for round window stimulation |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: OLSETH FAMILY GRANDCHILDREN'S EDUCATIONAL TRUST, M Free format text: SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:017498/0594 Effective date: 20050609 Owner name: INSULA PROPERTIES, LLC, MISSOURI Free format text: SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:017498/0594 Effective date: 20050609 Owner name: STERLING TRUST COMPANY, CUSTODIAN, TEXAS Free format text: SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:017498/0594 Effective date: 20050609 Owner name: DEAN BELBAS, TRUSTEE OF THE DEAN BELBAS REVOCABLE Free format text: SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:017498/0594 Effective date: 20050609 Owner name: BRENT & KAREN BLACKEY, MINNESOTA Free format text: SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:017498/0594 Effective date: 20050609 Owner name: BOEHNEN, DAVID L., MINNESOTA Free format text: SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:017498/0594 Effective date: 20050609 Owner name: JOHN & CARLYN BRYNGELSON, COLORADO Free format text: SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:017498/0594 Effective date: 20050609 Owner name: RICHARD D. CRAMER REVOCABLE TRUST, MINNESOTA Free format text: SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:017498/0594 Effective date: 20050609 Owner name: DACK CATTLE TRUST, COLORADO Free format text: SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:017498/0594 Effective date: 20050609 Owner name: BR DIRECT MARKETING, CALIFORNIA Free format text: SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:017498/0594 Effective date: 20050609 Owner name: D&R INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIP, MINNESOTA Free format text: SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:017498/0594 Effective date: 20050609 Owner name: ALFRED & ROSE ERICKSON TRUST, MINNESOTA Free format text: SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:017498/0594 Effective date: 20050609 Owner name: FRISWOLD, FRED R., MINNESOTA Free format text: SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:017498/0594 Effective date: 20050609 Owner name: JERRY & JANE GARBUTT, MINNESOTA Free format text: SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:017498/0594 Effective date: 20050609 Owner name: DORSEY R. GARDNER 2002 TRUST, MASSACHUSETTS Free format text: SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:017498/0594 Effective date: 20050609 Owner name: KENNETH & NANCY J. GRANAT, ARIZONA Free format text: SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:017498/0594 Effective date: 20050609 Owner name: GRANAT, ELIZABETH W., COLORADO Free format text: SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:017498/0594 Effective date: 20050609 Owner name: LES HARDY, JR. LIVING TRUST, MONTANA Free format text: SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:017498/0594 Effective date: 20050609 Owner name: KAY L. HARDY LIVING TRUST, MONTANA Free format text: SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:017498/0594 Effective date: 20050609 Owner name: JOSPEY FAMILY LIMITED PARTNERSHIP, FLORIDA Free format text: SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:017498/0594 Effective date: 20050609 Owner name: KEOUGH, STEVEN J., MINNESOTA Free format text: SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:017498/0594 Effective date: 20050609 Owner name: KING, JOHN J., ARIZONA Free format text: SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:017498/0594 Effective date: 20050609 Owner name: KING, MAUREEN, ARIZONA Free format text: SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:017498/0594 Effective date: 20050609 Owner name: KRISTO, STEVEN J., WISCONSIN Free format text: SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:017498/0594 Effective date: 20050609 Owner name: PIPER JAFFREY AS CUSTODIAN, MINNESOTA Free format text: SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:017498/0594 Effective date: 20050609 Owner name: WILLIAM LENZ & PAMELA JAMISON-LENZ, MINNESOTA Free format text: SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:017498/0594 Effective date: 20050609 Owner name: LEWIS, JR., HARRY T., COLORADO Free format text: SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:017498/0594 Effective date: 20050609 Owner name: LINDAHL, DENNIS M., MINNESOTA Free format text: SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:017498/0594 Effective date: 20050609 Owner name: MCFARLAND, RICHARD D., MINNESOTA Free format text: SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:017498/0594 Effective date: 20050609 Owner name: JOHN A. & KAREN J. MESLOW, MINNESOTA Free format text: SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:017498/0594 Effective date: 20050609 Owner name: MEYER, GERALD L., MONTANA Free format text: SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:017498/0594 Effective date: 20050609 Owner name: OBERMAN, LAWRENCE A., ILLINOIS Free format text: SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:017498/0594 Effective date: 20050609 Owner name: PETER E. & JUDITH C. OBERMEYER, MINNESOTA Free format text: SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:017498/0594 Effective date: 20050609 Owner name: OLSETH, DALE R., MINNESOTA Free format text: SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:017498/0594 Effective date: 20050609 Owner name: RAHN, NOEL P., MINNESOTA Free format text: SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:017498/0594 Effective date: 20050609 Owner name: YOST PARTNERSHIP, L.P., ILLINOIS Free format text: SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:017498/0594 Effective date: 20050609 Owner name: WAYNE & MARLENE ROGNLIN, WASHINGTON Free format text: SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:017498/0594 Effective date: 20050609 Owner name: PATRICK A. & KAREN D. SMITH, MISSOURI Free format text: SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:017498/0594 Effective date: 20050609 Owner name: LESTER J. & DARLENE K. SWENSON, MINNESOTA Free format text: SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:017498/0594 Effective date: 20050609 Owner name: TOWNSEND, GEORGE, MINNESOTA Free format text: SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:017498/0594 Effective date: 20050609 Owner name: TRIGRAN INVESTMENTS, INC., ILLINOIS Free format text: SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:017498/0594 Effective date: 20050609 Owner name: TSCHETTER, RONALD A., MONTANA Free format text: SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:017498/0594 Effective date: 20050609 Owner name: WARDEN, RICHARD H., MINNESOTA Free format text: SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:017498/0594 Effective date: 20050609 Owner name: STEVEN J. & BARBARA B. ZAWADSKI, MINNESOTA Free format text: SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:017498/0594 Effective date: 20050609 Owner name: AFFINITY VENTURES III, L.P., MINNESOTA Free format text: SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:017498/0594 Effective date: 20050609 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: ILLANES, DIANE, COLORADO Free format text: SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:017492/0084 Effective date: 20051207 Owner name: ILLANES, EDUARDO, COLORADO Free format text: SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:017492/0084 Effective date: 20051207 Owner name: TRIGRAN INVESTMENTS, INC., ILLINOIS Free format text: SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:017492/0084 Effective date: 20051207 Owner name: DORSEY R. GARDNER 2002 TRUST, FLORIDA Free format text: SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:017492/0084 Effective date: 20051207 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: R. GARDNER AND JOHN F. O'BRIEN ORIGINAL TRUSTEES, Free format text: SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, L.L.C.;REEL/FRAME:017286/0507 Effective date: 20060307 Owner name: FRISWOLD, FRED R., MINNESOTA Free format text: SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, L.L.C.;REEL/FRAME:017286/0507 Effective date: 20060307 Owner name: MEDTRONIC, INC., MINNESOTA Free format text: SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, L.L.C.;REEL/FRAME:017286/0507 Effective date: 20060307 Owner name: ERICKSON, DAVID S., MINNESOTA Free format text: SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, L.L.C.;REEL/FRAME:017286/0507 Effective date: 20060307 Owner name: OLSETH, DALE R., MINNESOTA Free format text: SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, L.L.C.;REEL/FRAME:017286/0507 Effective date: 20060307 Owner name: ERICKSON, BRIAN, MINNESOTA Free format text: SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, L.L.C.;REEL/FRAME:017286/0507 Effective date: 20060307 Owner name: ERICKSON, RONALD A. AND KRISTINE S., MINNESOTA Free format text: SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, L.L.C.;REEL/FRAME:017286/0507 Effective date: 20060307 Owner name: ERICKSON, ALFRED & ROSE ERICKSON TRUST, FBO DONOVA Free format text: SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, L.L.C.;REEL/FRAME:017286/0507 Effective date: 20060307 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: OLSETH FAMILY GRANDCHILDREN'S EDUCATIONAL TRUST, M Free format text: 3RD AMEND TO SECURITY AGMT & SECURITY AGMT;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:017982/0001 Effective date: 20060131 Owner name: SMITH, PATRICK A. & KAREN D., MISSOURI Free format text: 3RD AMEND TO SECURITY AGMT & SECURITY AGMT;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:017982/0001 Effective date: 20060131 Owner name: PIPER JAFFREY AS CUSTODIAN, MINNESOTA Free format text: 3RD AMEND TO SECURITY AGMT & SECURITY AGMT;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:017982/0001 Effective date: 20060131 Owner name: STERLING TRUST COMPANY, CUSTODIAN, TEXAS Free format text: 3RD AMEND TO SECURITY AGMT & SECURITY AGMT;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:017982/0001 Effective date: 20060131 Owner name: FRISWOLD, FRED R., MINNESOTA Free format text: 3RD AMEND TO SECURITY AGMT & SECURITY AGMT;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:017982/0001 Effective date: 20060131 Owner name: HARDY, KAY L. LIVING TRUST, MONTANA Free format text: 3RD AMEND TO SECURITY AGMT & SECURITY AGMT;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:017982/0001 Effective date: 20060131 Owner name: KING, MAUREEN, ARIZONA Free format text: 3RD AMEND TO SECURITY AGMT & SECURITY AGMT;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:017982/0001 Effective date: 20060131 Owner name: TOWNSEND, GEORGE, MINNESOTA Free format text: 3RD AMEND TO SECURITY AGMT & SECURITY AGMT;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:017982/0001 Effective date: 20060131 Owner name: LYNCH FOUNDATION, THE, MASSACHUSETTS Free format text: 3RD AMEND TO SECURITY AGMT & SECURITY AGMT;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:017982/0001 Effective date: 20060131 Owner name: RAHN, NOEL P., MINNESOTA Free format text: 3RD AMEND TO SECURITY AGMT & SECURITY AGMT;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:017982/0001 Effective date: 20060131 Owner name: MELROSE, KENDRICK, MINNESOTA Free format text: 3RD AMEND TO SECURITY AGMT & SECURITY AGMT;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:017982/0001 Effective date: 20060131 Owner name: BRYNGELSON, JOHN & CARLYN, COLORADO Free format text: 3RD AMEND TO SECURITY AGMT & SECURITY AGMT;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:017982/0001 Effective date: 20060131 Owner name: ZAWADSKI, STEVEN J. & BARBARA B., MINNESOTA Free format text: 3RD AMEND TO SECURITY AGMT & SECURITY AGMT;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:017982/0001 Effective date: 20060131 Owner name: KRISTO, STEVEN J., WISCONSIN Free format text: 3RD AMEND TO SECURITY AGMT & SECURITY AGMT;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:017982/0001 Effective date: 20060131 Owner name: GRANAT, KENNETH & NANCY J., ARIZONA Free format text: 3RD AMEND TO SECURITY AGMT & SECURITY AGMT;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:017982/0001 Effective date: 20060131 Owner name: BELBAS, DEAN TRUSTEE OF THE DEAN BELBAS REVOCABLE Free format text: 3RD AMEND TO SECURITY AGMT & SECURITY AGMT;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:017982/0001 Effective date: 20060131 Owner name: OLSETH, DALE R., MINNESOTA Free format text: 3RD AMEND TO SECURITY AGMT & SECURITY AGMT;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:017982/0001 Effective date: 20060131 Owner name: HANSER III, ALBERT, MASSACHUSETTS Free format text: 3RD AMEND TO SECURITY AGMT & SECURITY AGMT;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:017982/0001 Effective date: 20060131 Owner name: D&R INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIP, MINNESOTA Free format text: 3RD AMEND TO SECURITY AGMT & SECURITY AGMT;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:017982/0001 Effective date: 20060131 Owner name: HANSER,S. ALBERT D., TRUSTEE FOR HANSER, ALBERT D. Free format text: 3RD AMEND TO SECURITY AGMT & SECURITY AGMT;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:017982/0001 Effective date: 20060131 Owner name: KEOUGH, STEVEN J., MINNESOTA Free format text: 3RD AMEND TO SECURITY AGMT & SECURITY AGMT;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:017982/0001 Effective date: 20060131 Owner name: WARDEN, RICHARD H., MINNESOTA Free format text: 3RD AMEND TO SECURITY AGMT & SECURITY AGMT;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:017982/0001 Effective date: 20060131 Owner name: OBERMEYER, PETER E. & JUDITH C., MINNESOTA Free format text: 3RD AMEND TO SECURITY AGMT & SECURITY AGMT;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:017982/0001 Effective date: 20060131 Owner name: LINDHAL, DENNIS M., MINNESOTA Free format text: 3RD AMEND TO SECURITY AGMT & SECURITY AGMT;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:017982/0001 Effective date: 20060131 Owner name: BOEHNEN, DAVID L., MINNESOTA Free format text: 3RD AMEND TO SECURITY AGMT & SECURITY AGMT;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:017982/0001 Effective date: 20060131 Owner name: SWENSON, LESTER J. & DARLENE K., MINNESOTA Free format text: 3RD AMEND TO SECURITY AGMT & SECURITY AGMT;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:017982/0001 Effective date: 20060131 Owner name: CRAMER, RICHARD D., REVOCABLE TRUST, MINNESOTA Free format text: 3RD AMEND TO SECURITY AGMT & SECURITY AGMT;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:017982/0001 Effective date: 20060131 Owner name: LENZ, WILLIAM & JAMISON-LENZ, PAMELA, MINNESOTA Free format text: 3RD AMEND TO SECURITY AGMT & SECURITY AGMT;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:017982/0001 Effective date: 20060131 Owner name: AFFINITY VENTURES III, L.P., MINNESOTA Free format text: 3RD AMEND TO SECURITY AGMT & SECURITY AGMT;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:017982/0001 Effective date: 20060131 Owner name: GARDNER, DORSEY R. 2002 TRUST, MASSACHUSETTS Free format text: 3RD AMEND TO SECURITY AGMT & SECURITY AGMT;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:017982/0001 Effective date: 20060131 Owner name: LYNCH, PETER & CAROLYN, MASSACHUSETTS Free format text: 3RD AMEND TO SECURITY AGMT & SECURITY AGMT;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:017982/0001 Effective date: 20060131 Owner name: GRANAT, ELIZABETH W., COLORADO Free format text: 3RD AMEND TO SECURITY AGMT & SECURITY AGMT;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:017982/0001 Effective date: 20060131 Owner name: MESLOW, JOHN A. & KAREN J., MINNESOTA Free format text: 3RD AMEND TO SECURITY AGMT & SECURITY AGMT;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:017982/0001 Effective date: 20060131 Owner name: LEWIS, JR., HARRY T., COLORADO Free format text: 3RD AMEND TO SECURITY AGMT & SECURITY AGMT;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:017982/0001 Effective date: 20060131 Owner name: SHLOPAK, GREGORY P., MASSACHUSETTS Free format text: 3RD AMEND TO SECURITY AGMT & SECURITY AGMT;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:017982/0001 Effective date: 20060131 Owner name: GARBUTT, JERRY & JANE, MISSOURI Free format text: 3RD AMEND TO SECURITY AGMT & SECURITY AGMT;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:017982/0001 Effective date: 20060131 Owner name: SOLON, SR., VLASIE, MINNESOTA Free format text: 3RD AMEND TO SECURITY AGMT & SECURITY AGMT;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:017982/0001 Effective date: 20060131 Owner name: BLACKEY, BRENT & KAREN, MINNESOTA Free format text: 3RD AMEND TO SECURITY AGMT & SECURITY AGMT;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:017982/0001 Effective date: 20060131 Owner name: MEYER, GERALD L., MONTANA Free format text: 3RD AMEND TO SECURITY AGMT & SECURITY AGMT;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:017982/0001 Effective date: 20060131 Owner name: HANSER, LAURA H., FLORIDA Free format text: 3RD AMEND TO SECURITY AGMT & SECURITY AGMT;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:017982/0001 Effective date: 20060131 Owner name: JOSPEY FAMILY LIMITED PARTNERSHIP, FLORIDA Free format text: 3RD AMEND TO SECURITY AGMT & SECURITY AGMT;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:017982/0001 Effective date: 20060131 Owner name: OBERMAN, LAWRENCE A., ILLINOIS Free format text: 3RD AMEND TO SECURITY AGMT & SECURITY AGMT;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:017982/0001 Effective date: 20060131 Owner name: TRIGRAN INVESTMENTS, INC., ILLINOIS Free format text: 3RD AMEND TO SECURITY AGMT & SECURITY AGMT;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:017982/0001 Effective date: 20060131 Owner name: COBORN, DANIEL G., MINNESOTA Free format text: 3RD AMEND TO SECURITY AGMT & SECURITY AGMT;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:017982/0001 Effective date: 20060131 Owner name: HANSER, S. ALBERT D., TRUSTEE FOR HANSER, SALLY DO Free format text: 3RD AMEND TO SECURITY AGMT & SECURITY AGMT;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:017982/0001 Effective date: 20060131 Owner name: COBORN, CHRISTOPHER, MINNESOTA Free format text: 3RD AMEND TO SECURITY AGMT & SECURITY AGMT;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:017982/0001 Effective date: 20060131 Owner name: KING, JERRY & MARTHA, MISSOURI Free format text: 3RD AMEND TO SECURITY AGMT & SECURITY AGMT;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:017982/0001 Effective date: 20060131 Owner name: HARDY, JR., LES LIVING TRUST, MONTANA Free format text: 3RD AMEND TO SECURITY AGMT & SECURITY AGMT;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:017982/0001 Effective date: 20060131 Owner name: KING, JOHN J., ARIZONA Free format text: 3RD AMEND TO SECURITY AGMT & SECURITY AGMT;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:017982/0001 Effective date: 20060131 Owner name: YOST PARTNERSHIP, L.P., ILLINOIS Free format text: 3RD AMEND TO SECURITY AGMT & SECURITY AGMT;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:017982/0001 Effective date: 20060131 Owner name: INSULA PROPERTIES, LLC, MISSOURI Free format text: 3RD AMEND TO SECURITY AGMT & SECURITY AGMT;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:017982/0001 Effective date: 20060131 Owner name: ILLANES, EDUARDO AND DIANE, COLORADO Free format text: 3RD AMEND TO SECURITY AGMT & SECURITY AGMT;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:017982/0001 Effective date: 20060131 Owner name: MCFARLAND, RICHARD D., MINNESOTA Free format text: 3RD AMEND TO SECURITY AGMT & SECURITY AGMT;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:017982/0001 Effective date: 20060131 Owner name: ROGNLIN, WAYNE & MARLENE, WASHINGTON Free format text: 3RD AMEND TO SECURITY AGMT & SECURITY AGMT;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:017982/0001 Effective date: 20060131 Owner name: BR DIRECT MARKETING, CALIFORNIA Free format text: 3RD AMEND TO SECURITY AGMT & SECURITY AGMT;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:017982/0001 Effective date: 20060131 Owner name: ERICKSON, ALFRED & ROSE TRUST, MINNESOTA Free format text: 3RD AMEND TO SECURITY AGMT & SECURITY AGMT;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:017982/0001 Effective date: 20060131 Owner name: DACK CATTLE TRUST, COLORADO Free format text: 3RD AMEND TO SECURITY AGMT & SECURITY AGMT;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:017982/0001 Effective date: 20060131 Owner name: TSCHETTER, RONALD A., MONTANA Free format text: 3RD AMEND TO SECURITY AGMT & SECURITY AGMT;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:017982/0001 Effective date: 20060131 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: OTOLOGICS, LLC, COLORADO Free format text: RELEASE OF SECURITY AGMT;ASSIGNORS:AFFINITY VENTURES III, L.P.;INSULA PROPERTIES, LLC;STERLING TRUST COMPANY, CUSTODIAN;AND OTHERS;REEL/FRAME:017982/0930 Effective date: 20060608 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: FRISWOLD, FRED R., MINNESOTA Free format text: 1ST AMENDMENT TO PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:018099/0154 Effective date: 20060420 Owner name: RANDALL, WILLIAM C., MINNESOTA Free format text: 2ND AMEND TO PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT WITH SECURI;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:018099/0045 Effective date: 20060421 Owner name: BROWN, RICHARD N., COLORADO Free format text: 2ND AMEND TO PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT WITH SECURI;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:018099/0045 Effective date: 20060421 Owner name: KING, DAVID G., MASSACHUSETTS Free format text: 2ND AMEND TO PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT WITH SECURI;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:018099/0045 Effective date: 20060421 Owner name: R. RANDALL VOSBECK REVOCABLE TRUST, COLORADO Free format text: 2ND AMEND TO PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT WITH SECURI;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:018099/0045 Effective date: 20060421 Owner name: O. BURTON WASTCOAT TRUST, MONTANA Free format text: 2ND AMEND TO PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT WITH SECURI;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:018099/0045 Effective date: 20060421 Owner name: EDUARDO AND DIANE ILLANES, COLORADO Free format text: 2ND AMEND TO PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT WITH SECURI;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:018099/0045 Effective date: 20060421 Owner name: DEAN BELBAS, TRUSTEE OF THE DEAN BELBAS REVOCABLE Free format text: 2ND AMEND TO PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT WITH SECURI;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:018099/0045 Effective date: 20060421 Owner name: ELIZABETH T. JOHNSON AND LEE W. JOHNSON TRUSTEES O Free format text: 2ND AMEND TO PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT WITH SECURI;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:018099/0045 Effective date: 20060421 Owner name: FERGUSON, JOHN A. III, COLORADO Free format text: 2ND AMEND TO PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT WITH SECURI;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:018099/0045 Effective date: 20060421 Owner name: BR DIRECT MARKETING, INC., CALIFORNIA Free format text: 2ND AMEND TO PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT WITH SECURI;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:018099/0045 Effective date: 20060421 Owner name: LEAVERTON, KARL V., WASHINGTON Free format text: 2ND AMEND TO PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT WITH SECURI;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:018099/0045 Effective date: 20060421 Owner name: KASPRICK, KATHLEEN, MINNESOTA Free format text: 2ND AMEND TO PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT WITH SECURI;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:018099/0045 Effective date: 20060421 Owner name: KING, MAUREEN, ARIZONA Free format text: 2ND AMEND TO PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT WITH SECURI;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:018099/0045 Effective date: 20060421 Owner name: PIHL, MARJORIE J., MINNESOTA Free format text: 2ND AMEND TO PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT WITH SECURI;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:018099/0045 Effective date: 20060421 Owner name: JERRY AND MARTHA KING, MISSOURI Free format text: 2ND AMEND TO PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT WITH SECURI;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:018099/0045 Effective date: 20060421 Owner name: WOOLLER, JOSEPH W. III, ARIZONA Free format text: 2ND AMEND TO PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT WITH SECURI;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:018099/0045 Effective date: 20060421 Owner name: HANSER, S. ALBERT D., TRUSTEE FOR S. ALBERT D. HAN Free format text: 2ND AMEND TO PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT WITH SECURI;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:018099/0045 Effective date: 20060421 Owner name: PETER S. AND CAROLYN A. LYNCH, MASSACHUSETTS Free format text: 2ND AMEND TO PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT WITH SECURI;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:018099/0045 Effective date: 20060421 Owner name: ERICKSON, RONALD A., MINNESOTA Free format text: 1ST AMENDMENT TO PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:018099/0154 Effective date: 20060420 Owner name: RONALD C. WHITE TRUST, MINNESOTA Free format text: 2ND AMEND TO PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT WITH SECURI;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:018099/0045 Effective date: 20060421 Owner name: GJ GENERAL PARTNERSHIP, MINNESOTA Free format text: 2ND AMEND TO PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT WITH SECURI;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:018099/0045 Effective date: 20060421 Owner name: CLARK, STUART, CANADA Free format text: 2ND AMEND TO PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT WITH SECURI;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:018099/0045 Effective date: 20060421 Owner name: DAN H. CARLSON AND LESLIE T. CARLSON, COLORADO Free format text: 2ND AMEND TO PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT WITH SECURI;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:018099/0045 Effective date: 20060421 Owner name: SHLOPAK, GREGORY P., MASSACHUSETTS Free format text: 2ND AMEND TO PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT WITH SECURI;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:018099/0045 Effective date: 20060421 Owner name: PATRICK A. & KAREN D. SMITH, MISSOURI Free format text: 2ND AMEND TO PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT WITH SECURI;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:018099/0045 Effective date: 20060421 Owner name: WAYNE & MARLENE ROGNLIN, WASHINGTON Free format text: 2ND AMEND TO PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT WITH SECURI;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:018099/0045 Effective date: 20060421 Owner name: LES HARDY, JR. LIVING TRUST, MONTANA Free format text: 2ND AMEND TO PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT WITH SECURI;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:018099/0045 Effective date: 20060421 Owner name: MARGARET KING AND MARK HAILS, OREGON Free format text: 2ND AMEND TO PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT WITH SECURI;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:018099/0045 Effective date: 20060421 Owner name: STEELE, RICHARD, MINNESOTA Free format text: 2ND AMEND TO PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT WITH SECURI;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:018099/0045 Effective date: 20060421 Owner name: ALFRED & ROSE ERICKSON TRUST, MINNESOTA Free format text: 1ST AMENDMENT TO PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:018099/0154 Effective date: 20060420 Owner name: WARDEN, RICHARD H., ARIZONA Free format text: 2ND AMEND TO PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT WITH SECURI;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:018099/0045 Effective date: 20060421 Owner name: RONALD F. FAUST AND GEORGIANA FAUST TRUSTEES OF TH Free format text: 2ND AMEND TO PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT WITH SECURI;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:018099/0045 Effective date: 20060421 Owner name: RICE, DANIEL F., TEXAS Free format text: 2ND AMEND TO PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT WITH SECURI;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:018099/0045 Effective date: 20060421 Owner name: JACK J. KORFF TRUST, MICHIGAN Free format text: 2ND AMEND TO PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT WITH SECURI;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:018099/0045 Effective date: 20060421 Owner name: BRISTER, MATTHEW, CANADA Free format text: 2ND AMEND TO PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT WITH SECURI;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:018099/0045 Effective date: 20060421 Owner name: JOHN AND CARLYN BRYNGELSON, COLORADO Free format text: 2ND AMEND TO PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT WITH SECURI;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:018099/0045 Effective date: 20060421 Owner name: ERICKSON, BRIAN, MINNESOTA Free format text: 1ST AMENDMENT TO PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:018099/0154 Effective date: 20060420 Owner name: WWF & COMPANY, MINNESOTA Free format text: 2ND AMEND TO PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT WITH SECURI;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:018099/0045 Effective date: 20060421 Owner name: THOMAS T. AND MARGARET A. LOFTUS, ARIZONA Free format text: 2ND AMEND TO PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT WITH SECURI;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:018099/0045 Effective date: 20060421 Owner name: KING, JOHN J., ARIZONA Free format text: 2ND AMEND TO PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT WITH SECURI;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:018099/0045 Effective date: 20060421 Owner name: LYNCH FOUNDATION, THE, MASSACHUSETTS Free format text: 2ND AMEND TO PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT WITH SECURI;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:018099/0045 Effective date: 20060421 Owner name: KENWORTHY, MARIA, MINNESOTA Free format text: 2ND AMEND TO PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT WITH SECURI;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:018099/0045 Effective date: 20060421 Owner name: DORSEY R. GARDNER 2002 TRUST, MASSACHUSETTS Free format text: 1ST AMENDMENT TO PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:018099/0154 Effective date: 20060420 Owner name: AFFINITY VENTURES III, L.P., MINNESOTA Free format text: 2ND AMEND TO PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT WITH SECURI;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:018099/0045 Effective date: 20060421 Owner name: BRANDSNESS, DAVID, MINNESOTA Free format text: 2ND AMEND TO PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT WITH SECURI;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:018099/0045 Effective date: 20060421 Owner name: LESTER J. AND DARLENE K. SWENSON, MINNESOTA Free format text: 2ND AMEND TO PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT WITH SECURI;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:018099/0045 Effective date: 20060421 Owner name: YOST PARTNERSHIP, L.P., ILLINOIS Free format text: 2ND AMEND TO PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT WITH SECURI;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:018099/0045 Effective date: 20060421 Owner name: ERICKSON, KRISTINE S., MINNESOTA Free format text: 1ST AMENDMENT TO PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:018099/0154 Effective date: 20060420 Owner name: H.R. SWANSON REVOCABLE TRUST, MINNESOTA Free format text: 2ND AMEND TO PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT WITH SECURI;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:018099/0045 Effective date: 20060421 Owner name: KRISTO, STEVEN J., WISCONSIN Free format text: 2ND AMEND TO PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT WITH SECURI;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:018099/0045 Effective date: 20060421 Owner name: KING, LAURIE, OREGON Free format text: 2ND AMEND TO PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT WITH SECURI;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:018099/0045 Effective date: 20060421 Owner name: OLSETH, DALE R., MINNESOTA Free format text: 1ST AMENDMENT TO PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:018099/0154 Effective date: 20060420 Owner name: JOHN AND KAREN HIMLE, MINNESOTA Free format text: 2ND AMEND TO PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT WITH SECURI;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:018099/0045 Effective date: 20060421 Owner name: ERICKSON, DAVID S., MINNESOTA Free format text: 1ST AMENDMENT TO PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:018099/0154 Effective date: 20060420 Owner name: KAY L. HARDY LIVING TRUST, MONTANA Free format text: 2ND AMEND TO PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT WITH SECURI;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:018099/0045 Effective date: 20060421 Owner name: HALL, PETER T. AND MARGULIS, MARTHA H., MISSOURI Free format text: 2ND AMEND TO PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT WITH SECURI;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:018099/0045 Effective date: 20060421 Owner name: MOSCHETTI, DONALD J., ARIZONA Free format text: 2ND AMEND TO PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT WITH SECURI;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:018099/0045 Effective date: 20060421 Owner name: DACK CATTLE TRUST, COLORADO Free format text: 2ND AMEND TO PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT WITH SECURI;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:018099/0045 Effective date: 20060421 Owner name: KASPRICK, LYLE, MINNESOTA Free format text: 2ND AMEND TO PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT WITH SECURI;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:018099/0045 Effective date: 20060421 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: MELROSE, KENDRICK, MINNESOTA Free format text: FIRST AMENDMENT TO SECURITY AGREEMENT OF SECURITY;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:018350/0855 Effective date: 20051007 Owner name: HANSER, III, ALBERT, MASSACHUSETTS Free format text: FIRST AMENDMENT TO SECURITY AGREEMENT OF SECURITY;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:018350/0855 Effective date: 20051007 Owner name: PETER & CAROLYN LYNCH, MASSACHUSETTS Free format text: FIRST AMENDMENT TO SECURITY AGREEMENT OF SECURITY;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:018350/0855 Effective date: 20051007 Owner name: LYNCH FOUNDATION, THE, MASSACHUSETTS Free format text: FIRST AMENDMENT TO SECURITY AGREEMENT OF SECURITY;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:018350/0855 Effective date: 20051007 Owner name: COBORN, DANIEL G., MINNESOTA Free format text: FIRST AMENDMENT TO SECURITY AGREEMENT OF SECURITY;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:018350/0855 Effective date: 20051007 Owner name: BELBAS, DEAN, TRUSTEE OF THE DEAN BELBAS REVOCABLE Free format text: FIRST AMENDMENT TO SECURITY AGREEMENT OF SECURITY;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:018350/0855 Effective date: 20051007 Owner name: HANSER, LAURA H., FLORIDA Free format text: FIRST AMENDMENT TO SECURITY AGREEMENT OF SECURITY;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:018350/0855 Effective date: 20051007 Owner name: HANSER, S. ALBERT D., TRUSTEE FOR SALLY DODGE HANS Free format text: FIRST AMENDMENT TO SECURITY AGREEMENT OF SECURITY;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:018350/0855 Effective date: 20051007 Owner name: COBORN, CHRISTOPHER, MINNESOTA Free format text: FIRST AMENDMENT TO SECURITY AGREEMENT OF SECURITY;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:018350/0855 Effective date: 20051007 Owner name: KING, JERRY & MARTHA, MISSOURI Free format text: FIRST AMENDMENT TO SECURITY AGREEMENT OF SECURITY;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:018350/0855 Effective date: 20051007 Owner name: HANSER, S. ALBERT D., TRUSTEE FOR S. ALBERT D. HAN Free format text: FIRST AMENDMENT TO SECURITY AGREEMENT OF SECURITY;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:018350/0855 Effective date: 20051007 Owner name: SHLOPAK, GREGORY P., MASSACHUSETTS Free format text: FIRST AMENDMENT TO SECURITY AGREEMENT OF SECURITY;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:018350/0855 Effective date: 20051007 Owner name: SOLON, SR., VLASIE, MINNESOTA Free format text: FIRST AMENDMENT TO SECURITY AGREEMENT OF SECURITY;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:018350/0855 Effective date: 20051007 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: OTOLOGIC, LLC, COLORADO Free format text: ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF RELEASE OF SECURITY AGMT;ASSIGNORS:AFFINITY VENTURES III, L.P.;DEAN BELBAS, TRUSTEE OF THE DEAN BELBAS REVOCABLE TRUST;BR DIRECT MARKETING, INC.;AND OTHERS;REEL/FRAME:019019/0853 Effective date: 20070116 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: OTOLOGICS, LLC, COLORADO Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:KASIC, JAMES FRANK, II;SIMMS, WILLIAM J.;TOMPKINS, DANA DANIEL;REEL/FRAME:020941/0129 Effective date: 20041105 |
|
CC | Certificate of correction | ||
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: COCHLEAR LIMITED, AUSTRALIA Free format text: SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, L.L.C.;REEL/FRAME:023832/0387 Effective date: 20100119 Owner name: COCHLEAR LIMITED,AUSTRALIA Free format text: SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNOR:OTOLOGICS, L.L.C.;REEL/FRAME:023832/0387 Effective date: 20100119 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: OTOLOGICS, LLC,COLORADO Free format text: ACKGT. OF INEFFECTIVE PAT. ASSMT. AGMT;ASSIGNOR:MEDTRONIC, INC.;REEL/FRAME:024066/0349 Effective date: 20100302 Owner name: OTOLOGICS, LLC, COLORADO Free format text: ACKGT. OF INEFFECTIVE PAT. ASSMT. AGMT;ASSIGNOR:MEDTRONIC, INC.;REEL/FRAME:024066/0349 Effective date: 20100302 |
|
REMI | Maintenance fee reminder mailed | ||
LAPS | Lapse for failure to pay maintenance fees | ||
STCH | Information on status: patent discontinuation |
Free format text: PATENT EXPIRED DUE TO NONPAYMENT OF MAINTENANCE FEES UNDER 37 CFR 1.362 |
|
FP | Expired due to failure to pay maintenance fee |
Effective date: 20120205 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: OTOLOGICS, L.L.C., COLORADO Free format text: RELEASE BY SECURED PARTY;ASSIGNOR:COCHLEAR LIMITED;REEL/FRAME:029072/0633 Effective date: 20120928 |